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Premier League round-up
Rivals draw as Villa, Blackburn and Fulham all win
The much-anticipated battle between City and Liverpool turned into a damp squib of an affair after a wretched 0-0 draw at the City of Manchester Stadium.
In what was hardly a ringing endorsement for the quality of the Premier League, the game's only notable highlight was Pepe Reina's flying save to push away Emmanuel Adebayor's shot in the second half.
Aston Villa
Burnley, with just one point on their travels this season, took a shock lead on 10 minutes when the unmarked Steven Fletcher slotted home, but Villa levelled on 32 minutes when Ashley Young's cross-shot fizzed through Danny Fox's legs and beyond Brian Jensen.
The visitors then collapsed in the second period as Stewart Downing drove home on 56 minutes and the England winger then saw his shot deflect off Fox and past Jensen two minutes later.
Just past the hour mark, Emile Heskey turned home a cross from Agbonlahor, who scored Villa's fifth goal from close range on 68 minutes by diverting in James Milner's low centre.
The Clarets did have the final say in the contest when substitute Martin Paterson
Fulham moved level on points with Birmingham in the Premier League table as Bobby Zamora's
Birmingham had taken the lead in comical circumstances after just three minutes when Chris Baird, under no pressure, planted a header from Lee Bowyer's cross past his own keeper Mark Schwarzer.
However, Fulham drew level with a goal of genuine class just before the hour mark when Damien Duff exchanged passes with Zoltan Gera before rifling a 25-yard drive in off the upright.
And the Cottagers' comeback was completed in the final minute when Zamora fired home a stunning free-kick with his left foot.
Blackburn's impressive home form continued as a convincing 3-0 win over local rivals Bolton edged Sam Allardyce's side closer to securing their Premier League status.
The hosts were in front on 41 minutes when Morten Gamst Pedersen
Rovers increased the lead on 72 minutes when Ricardo Gardner's attempted clearance only put Bolton under further pressure and substitute Jason Roberts
Blackburn, who have lost just twice at home all season in the league, completed a comfortable win six minutes from time when Gael Givet stole in ahead of his marker to glance El Hadji Diouf's cross from the left inside the far post.
Portsmouth held 1-1 by Coventry in FA Cup
Portsmouth held 1-1 by Coventry in FA Cup
LONDON (AP)—Portsmouth was held 1-1 at home by second tier Coventry in the FA Cup on Saturday while Aston Villa and Wigan outplayed Premier League rivals to reach the fourth round.
There were comfortable victories too for Tottenham, Bolton, Everton, Sunderland, Stoke and Burnley against opponents from the lower divisions.
Last in the top flight, Portsmouth fell behind to David Bell’s strike at Fratton Park but earned a replay through Kevin-Prince Boateng’s header in the final minute of the first half.
In one of the few all Premier League meetings, Villa beat Blackburn 3-1 with goals by Nathan Delfouneso, Carlos Cuellar and John Carew’s late penalty. Nikola Kalinic replied for Rovers, which had El-Hadji Diouf sent off just before halftime, but Villa’s American ‘keeper Brad Guzan saved a penalty from David Dunn.
Charles N’Zogbia came off the bench at halftime to score twice in Wigan’s 4-1 victory over Hull which had taken the lead through a free kick by Geovanni. Only 5,335 fans showed up to watch the meeting of the two top flight teams.
In a meeting of two teams on long unbeaten runs, Birmingham was held 0-0 at Nottingham Forest, which is third in the second tier League Championship. Forest striker Rob Earnshaw had the chance to secure an upset victory but fired a penalty over the bar. Birmingham is now unbeaten in 12 games and Forest in 17.
Manchester City won 1-0 at Championship club Middlesbrough with a first half goal by Benjani Mwaruwari and Bobby Zamora’s 16th minute strike gave Fulham a 1-0 victory over Swindon from the third tier League One.
Niko Krancjar scored twice as Spurs beat Peterborough 4-0, Bolton trounced Lincoln 4-0, Everton knocked out Carlisle 3-1 and Sunderland beat non-league Barrow 3-0. Stoke came from behind to beat non-league York 3-1.
Burnley won 2-1 at Milton Keynes Dons after a penalty by Graham Alexander and a second from Steven Fletcher.
In a later game, Liverpool went to Reading from the League Championship.
Three third round games were among the nine matches called off because of frozen pitches but none involved top flight clubs.
Chelsea begins its defense of the title at home to second tier Watford on Sunday when Manchester United welcomes League One leader Leeds, Arsenal visits West Ham and Wolves travels to Tranmere.


