Rest of Premiership: In the relegation fight West Ham recorded a valuable 3-0 victory which moved them level on points with today's opponents Wigan and helped them leapfrog Charlton into 18th.
Lucas Neill's floated ball over the top was chased down by Luis Boa Morte and he managed to loop it over the onrushing John Filan in the Wigan goal with half an hour played at the JJB Stadium.
The Hammers added a second after 56 minutes as Yossi Benayoun added the final flourish to a swift counter-attack and Marlon Harewood added a third as Wigan piled forward and left gaps at the back.
Alan Curbishley's team remain three points behind Sheffield United however as Neil Warnock's team beat already-relegated Watford at Bramall Lane.
The Blades' goal was credited to veteran Watford defender Chris Powell, who deflected a Michael Tonge shot into his own net to move the hosts up to 15th.
Charlton's survival hopes dwindled as they suffered a 4-1 defeat at Blackburn.
Jason Roberts' low shot was fumbled into the net by the usually excellent Scott Carson on the hour and Ben Thatcher was sent off three minutes later.
The Londoners equalised after 70 minutes when Stephen Warnock inexplicably headed towards his own goal, hit the crossbar and Darren Bent followed up to score.
However, Blackburn forged ahead again as Hermann Hreidarsson diverted a Morten Gamst Pedersen cross into his own net and Roberts added a third from close range. Substitute Matt Derbyshire's smart finish sealed the win as Charlton heads dropped.
Portsmouth boosted their hopes of securing a UEFA Cup qualification spot as they beat Liverpool 2-1 at Fratton Park.
Benjani Mwaruwari managed to latch on to David James' long goal kick, lift the ball over the hesitant Jerzy Dudek and steer it home after 26 minutes.
They added a second five minutes later when Lauren's crossfield ball picked out Niko Kranjcar on the left and the Croatian finished coolly.
Sami Hyypia pulled a goal back for the Reds in the 59th minute but Pompey held on.
Tottenham, still hopeful of returning to the UEFA Cup next season, won 3-2 away to Middlesbrough.
Robbie Keane's 12th-minute strike from a Dimitar Berbatov pass set them on their way and the Bulgarian star added a second for Spurs two minutes into the second half.
Mark Viduka halved the deficit (66), Keane restored Tottenham's two-goal cushion and Emanuel Pogatetz set up a nervy finish (89).
Aston Villa beat Manchester City 2-0 in a mid-table encounter at Eastlands.
Villa forged ahead in the 24th minute when John Carew nodded in Ashley Young's cross from the left.
City wasted a chance to draw level when Joey Barton missed a penalty just before half-time and Shaun Maloney added an excellent second for Villa with 15 minutes to go.
