Premiership review: West Ham's hopes of Premiership survival were dealt a blow today as they lost 3-0 at relegation rivals Sheffield United, who climbed out of the drop zone and left their opponents staring at the drop.
Michael Tonge's wonderful free-kick put United ahead six minutes from half-time after the ball crashed in off the underside of the crossbar.
United doubled their advantage when a corner was met by Phil Jagielka, who climbed above his marker and powered a downward header into the far side of the net.
West Ham have enjoyed three wins in a row recvently but this game over when Jon Stead completed the scoring 12 minutes from time.
Cesc Fabregas scored his first Premiership goal of the season as Arsenal were forced to come from behind against Bolton to hold on to the fourth and final Champions League spot.
Bolton threatened to climb above them when Nicolas Anelka netted his third goal against the Gunners this season but Tomas Rosicky levelled before half-time and Fabregas netted 30 seconds after the restart before Ivan Campo's late sending off.
Lawrie Sanchez's first match as Fulham caretaker boss did not go to plan as Reading beat them 1-0 at the Madejski Stadium.
Looking to halt an eight-match winless run in all competitions that cost Chris Coleman his job this week, the Cottagers lost to Stephen Hunt's 15th-minute effort, leaving them just three points clear of the bottom three.
Matt Taylor scored another screamer as Portsmouth re-ignited their European push with a 2-1 win over Newcastle.
Steven Taylor's mistake handed Pompey a seventh-minute lead at Fratton Park, when the defender got the ball caught under his feet, allowing Benjani Mwaruwari to send Steve Harper the wrong way.
For the second Pompey's Taylor unleashed a trademark 30-yard drive, which flew across Harper and into the far corner of the net.
The visitors were given hope when Portsmouth captain Dejan Stefanovic tripped James Milner in the penalty area and Emre stepped up to narrowly beat David James.
The veteran keeper will once again be forced to wait another week to claim the Premiership's clean sheet record.
Aston Villa's resurgence continued as they recovered from Thomas Sorensen's howler to beat Middlesbrough 3-1 at the Riverside.
Villa keeper Sorensen gifted Boro a 13th-minute lead, the goalkeeper spilling Fabio Rochemback's 30-yard free-kick into the net.
Craig Gardner slotted home his first Premiership goal on the stroke of half-time to equalise before substitute Luke Moore and Stiliyan Petrov scored in a convincing second-half performance for the visitors.
The only goalless game was at the City of Manchester Stadium, where Manchester City and third-placed Liverpool cancelled each other out.
