Jesper Gronkjaer put the visitors in front with a superb curling first-half strike which looked like proving to be the winner when Ruud van Nistelrooy had his spot-kick saved by Carlo Cudicini.

But, after Robert Huth had been dismissed 17 minutes from time, Cudicini blotted his copybook by failing to collect Mikael Silvestre’s lofted cross and Van Nistelrooy netted his 27th goal of the campaign and his first in the league since February 11.

In the matches which kicked off at 3pm today, Villa’s hopes of gaining the upper hand in the race for the fourth Champions League place took a blow at Southampton.

Villa striker Juan Pablo Angel had slotted home a 39th-minute penalty but Kevin Phillips popped up with a slick right-footed finish to level matters just before the break.

Peter Crouch had a great chance to score a winner for Villa 14 minutes from time but he headed straight into the arms of Antti Niemi.

With Liverpool in action later on today, Villa could have moved into fourth, albeit temporarily.

French striker Youri Djorkaeff kept alive Bolton’s faint European hopes with a brace to earn a 2-1 victory over Everton at Goodison Park

The former Inter Milan forward held off the attentions of several defenders before producing a deft finish on 14 minutes to set Sam Allardyce’s men on course for their fifth consecutive victory.

But Duncan Ferguson (68) hauled Everton level from just inside the penalty area and the game was heading towards a draw before Djorkaeff converted Simon Charlton’s cross three minutes from time.

Alan Smith capped what could be his last appearance in a Leeds shirt by slotting home his side’s third goal in a hugely-entertaining 3-3 draw with over Charlton at Elland Road.

The result confirmed Leeds’ relegation to the Nationwide First Division.

Smith, who is expected to leave the club in the summer, was named captain for the day and scored a 69th-minute penalty as the Whites showed the fighting spirit absent for much of the season in coming back from a goal down.

Republic of Ireland midfielder Matt Holland gave the visitors the lead with a stunning 30-yard goal in the 11th minute at Elland Road but the hosts responded through young defender Matthew Kilgallon.

Kilgallon arrived at the far post to meet Stephen McPhail’s inswinging 29th-minute free-kick and Jermaine Pennant then finished a slick move to put the Whites in front three minutes before the break.

Charlton’s Jason Euell scored from the spot 14 minutes from time and three minutes later he grabbed his second, pouncing from close range.

Tottenham’s Jermain Defoe scored the only goal of the game against fellow-strugglers Blackburn at White Hart Lane.

The former West Ham striker latched onto a long punt forward and turned neatly before cracking the ball into the top corner in the 18th minute.

Already-relegated Leicester stunned in-form Portsmouth with a 3-1 win at the Walkers Stadium.

Pompey defender Matthew Taylor put through his own goal in the sixth minute as the Foxes went in search of their third win on home soil.

And striker Paul Dickov curled a fine 27th-minute effort beyond Shaka Hislop to double his side’s advantage.

The visitors rallied after the break and reduced the deficit through Nigel Quashie (66) but James Scowcroft replied five minutes later to extend Leicester’s lead.

Middlesbrough dominated matters against Manchester City and earned a deserved 2-1 victory at the Riverside.

The hosts took a 2-0 lead through Massimo Maccarone and Szilard Nemeth although Kevin Keegan’s men got themselves back in it courtesy of Paulo Wanchope.

Maccarone broke down the left and beat England keeper David James with what appeared to be an intended cross but it gave Boro an eight-minute lead nevertheless.

Nemeth scored another 13 minutes before half-time but Wanchope netted three minutes later.