29 December,2010 09:05 AM IST | | PA Sports
Manchester United held on to top spot in the English Premier League ufffd and their unbeaten start to the season ufffd but now lead Manchester City on goal difference alone after a 1-1 draw at Birmingham last night.
| Dimitar Berbatov of Manchester United scores the opening goal during the English Premier League match against Birmingham City in Birmingham last night. Pic/Getty Images |
However, Birmingham struck back through Lee Bowyer in the 89th minute, although there was a suspicion of a handball by Nikola Zigic in the build-up and Bowyer also looked offside.
The two Manchester clubs are now locked together on 38 points, although United have a game in hand.
Mario Balotelli smashed a hat-trick as City briefly went top of the table with a 4-0 thumping of out-of-form Aston Villa 4-0 at Eastlands.
The controversial Italian striker - condemned by manager Roberto Mancini for his poor attitude and supposedly struggling to cope with life in Manchester - was recalled to the starting XI because of concerns over the fitness of Carlos Tevez, and set City on their way in the eighth minute with a penalty after he was tripped by Eric Lichaj.
Before Villa - who have slumped down the table after four defeats in five games - could recover, they were trailing 2-0 on 13 minutes when Joleon Lescott's header from a corner was deemed to have crossed the line, despite the efforts of midfielder Barry Bannan.
Mancini's men secured the win when Balotelli struck again from close range on 27 minutes after Brad Friedel had saved from David Silva and the former Inter Milan striker completed his hat-trick from the spot 10 minutes into the second half after Adam Johnson had been fouled by Marc Albrighton.
Tottenham took their chance to go fourth above Chelsea, who lost at Arsenal on Monday night, with a 2-0 win over Newcastle at White Hart Lane.
Aaron Lennon's angled drive put Spurs ahead and Younes Kaboul received his marching orders after picking up two bookings in the space of 10 minutes, but Gareth Bale (81) wrapped up the points with another fine individual effort.
Fulham recorded a first away win since August 2009, beating Stoke 2-0 via a rare brace from defender Chris Baird to ease the pressure on manager Mark Hughes. The result meant that the Cottagers just crept out of the bottom three, above Wigan on goal difference.
West Ham remain in the bottom three after they had to settle for a 1-1 draw at home to Everton.
Radoslav Kovac's shot was deflected into the net by Everton defender Tony Hibbert to give the Hammers hope of recording back-to-back victories for the first time this season.
However, David Moyes' men fought back and Seamus Coleman stole in to equalise with three minutes of the first half remaining.
Blackpool secured a fifth away victory after DJ Campbell's second-half double (55 & 90) proved enough to take all three points at Sunderland.
Asamoah Gyan and Jordan Henderson had gone close for the Black Cats, while Darren Bent hit the woodwork with a late free-kick.
Blackburn manager Steve Kean recorded his first win as Rovers beat West Brom 3-1 at The Hawthorns, despite having Nikola Kalinic sent off.
The Croatia striker had given the visitors an early lead when he had been played through by El-Hadji Diouf after just three minutes. However, Jerome Thomas (17) equalised after converting Somen Tchoyi's cross.
Rovers were back in front when Kalinic (53) headed in after a corner and Mame Biram Diouf (62) extended their advantage just after the hour.
However, Kalinic then was shown a straight red card by referee Phil Dowd after going in late and hard on Paul Scharner, although Gabriel Tamas' dismissal with three minutes left meant both sides ended the game on 10 men.
