Magpies edge away from danger

Premier League round-up

Capello cuts squad

With the top four all in action tomorrow, the Premier League focus was on the battle to avoid relegation. It was a particularly good afternoon for the three North East clubs as Newcastle United, Sunderland and Middlesbrough all won. Kevin Keegan won his first match since his return to Tyneside as the Magpies beat Fulham 2-0 at St James’ Park thanks to goals from Mark Viduka (6) and Michael Owen (83). Newcastle are now six points clear of the relegation zone but Fulham are now four points adrift of safety with seven games left.

Sunderland recorded their first away win of the league season at Villa Park while also seriously damaging Aston Villa’s hopes of European qualification. Michael Chopra scored the only goal of the game on 83 minutes.

Middlesbrough chalked up a 1-0 victory at the Riverside Stadium over bottom club Derby County. Tuncay’s 32nd minute effort was the difference between the sides.

There was a relegation six-pointer at the Madjeski Stadium where Reading edged past Birmingham City 2-1. A header from Andre Bikey gave the hosts a half-time lead but Mauro Zarate equalised for the Blues on 64 minutes. Eleven minutes from time Bikey was again on target with his head to leave Alex McLeish’s men hovering just one point above the relegation zone in 17th.

Bolton Wanderers remain in the bottom three after playing out a goalless draw with Manchester City at the Reebok Stadium.

Everton’s charge towards a Champions League place faltered as they were held to a 1-1 draw by West Ham United at Goodison Park while both Blackburn Rovers and Wigan Athletic had a man sent-off as Rovers earned a 3-1 win at Ewood Park.

At White Hart Lane, substitutes Darren Bent (80) and Jamie O’Hara (82) scored as Tottenham Hotspur beat Portsmouth 2-0

In the Scottish Premier League,  Rangers moved six points clear at the top of the table after beating Hibernian 2-1 at Ibrox. At Tannadice, Dundee United beat Motherwell 2-0, Kilmarnock came from behind to beat Inverness Caledonian Thistle 4-1 at Rugby Park, Aberdeen were held to a 1-1 draw by 10-man St Mirren at Pittodrie and there was stalemate at Tynecastle where Heart of Midlothian met Falkirk.

England coach Fabio Capello has reduced his squad from 30 to 23 for Wednesday’s friendly in France and recalled Tottenham Hotspur goalkeeper Paul Robinson to replace the injured Aston Villa shot stopper Scott Carson. West Ham United defender Matthew Upson also misses out through injury while Gabriel Agbonlahor, Ashley Young, Shaun Wright-Phillips, David Wheater and Jermain Defoe are cut from the squad.

Nathan Davies