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Page last updated at 18:26 GMT, Sunday, 21 February 2010

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Sunday football as it happened

GOALFLASHES AND MAJOR INCIDENTS (all times GMT)

606: DEBATE

Your thoughts on the action

To get involved use 606 or text us your views & comments on 81111 (UK) or +44 7786200666 (worldwide). (Not all contributions can be used)

By Jonathan Stevenson

1824: Well I think I've banged on for long enough this weekend, don't you? Ta very much for getting involved, don't forget to watch a round-up of all of this weekend's Premier League action in Match of the Day 2 at 2215 GMT on BBC Two and online. Oh, and Cheesy will be back on Tuesday for Man Utd v West Ham and some more Champions League action too. See you soon.

Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp: "Great performance from us today in difficult conditions on a difficult pitch. The first goal being offside doesn't bother me at all. It was great that Pav got those two goals at the end. When he wants to play and wants to work he's a top-class player."

1817: I'm led to believe that Tottenham's 12-1 aggregate victory over Wigan this season is a new Premier League record.

From RetroGirl on Twitter: "Great result for Spurs and good for their goal difference too - it could come down to that for 4th!"

1812: Full-time Wigan 0-3 Tottenham
What a funny game that was, and I don't mean entirely from a comedy point of view. Roman Pavlyuchenko's two late goals add gloss to the scoreline and his team-mates all go straight over to him to celebrate at the end. Lovely scenes.

Spurs goal: Haha. Well, you've got to laugh, haven't you Harry? Tom Huddlestone's free-kick from the right is headed goalwards by Roman Pavlyuchenko and after Chris Kirkland saves it, the Russian gets the better of Emmerson Boyce and flicks in from a seemingly impossible angle.

1810: GOAL Wigan 0-3 Tottenham

1808: David Bentley is kicked unceremoniously to the floor by Maynor Figueroa, who is booked for his recklessness. Just a challenge borne out of pure frustration, that.

1807: Into injury time at the DW Stadium and we'll have four extra minutes in the north-west.

1806: The Premier League table looks brilliant. One point separates fourth to seventh, and one point separates 16th to 19th. It's all up for grabs.

1804: Phew. The pitch at the DW Stadium is going to be replaced after the Wigan Warriors rugby league team play Catalans Dragons on Friday. For that, we should all be thankful.

Spurs goal: Haven't seen a wider smile all weekend long, but for some reason, Harry Redknapp doesn't look that thrilled... Luka Modric, the best player on this horror pitch by a country mile, splits two Wigan defenders with a ball inside the hosts' penalty area and that man Roman Pavluychenko holds off a defender before slipping a left-foot shot past Chris Kirkland.

1801: GOAL Wigan 0-2 Tottenham

1800: Spurs attack and David Bentley clips a cross from the right to Luka Modric on the edge of the Wigan box - the Croatian's expertly-taken first-time right-foot volley hits Chris Kirkland's left-hand post and bounces into the arms of the keeper.

1758: James McCarthy's cross from the right is fumbled by Heurelho Gomes and from the rebound, Sebastien Bassong clears away from danger after Scott Sinclair put the ball back into the mixer.

1757: Ten minutes left at the DW Stadium and it's Wigan 0-1 Tottenham. We gonna get any late drama?

1755: Luka Modric flicks the ball through to Peter Crouch and he trudges through the mud to get into the Wigan box and see a left-foot shot saved well by Chris Kirkland.

From KrakowSpursFan on 606: "I wouldn't worry about that being the winning goal. We haven't won 1-0 all season. I feel a late equaliser in the offing."

1753: Wigan send on Scott Sinclair for Marcelo Moreno.

1751: Tom Huddlestone, who was booked two minutes ago, is given a severe ticking off by Alan Wiley for another foul. One more and he's off, I think that was the message there.

1750: Well, well, well. What a surprising change this is. Jermain Defoe, who has scored every single one of Tottenham's last six goals, is replaced by the Russian who claims he is being frozen out, Roman Pavlyuchenko.

1747: Luka Modric finds Jermain Defoe on the edge of the area and he turns sharply before lashing in a left-foot shot at Chris Kirkland.

1746: Luka Modric comes on for Niko Kranjcar for Tottenham.

1743: The managers should be telling their players to get the ball wide - the flanks are the areas of the pitch best covered by grass. Incidentally, here's what Charles N'Zogbia (see 1736) said in The Sun on Saturday: "There could be a few places up for grabs in midfield. The dream of every player is to take part in the World Cup. If I'm given a chance to do so, I'll take it because it would only take me two weeks to acquire dual nationality. I think that France are not too interested in me, even though I have played with the Under-21s for a year-and-a-half."

BBC Radio 5 live's Matt Jackson: "You've got to feel sorry for Wigan - they cannot play on this pitch for the rest of the season, it just isn't possible. They want to play football for starters, which is very difficult, but their recovery will take longer because it takes more out of you."

1738: Niko Kranjcar slips in a pass for Jermain Defoe and he skips past Paul Scharner before firing in a fierce 16-yard shot that Chris Kirkland parries away to his right. Good shot, good save.

1737: We've had more than an hour at the DW Stadium, where it remains Wigan 0-1 Tottenham. I hope that early offside goal isn't going to settle it.

1736: Charles N'Zogbia tries to plough forward but the ball gets stuck in this bog of a pitch and the Frenchman, who I think might be eligible to play for England, loses possession.

1735: Better from Wigan - a decent passing move ends with Victor Moses firing in a right-foot shot from 20 yards that Heurelho Gomes collects low down.

1732: Wigan take off Hendry Thomas and send on Victor Moses. That's an attacking change from Roberto Martinez and the home fans are quite pleased with it.

From Nick, Sheffield, via text to 81111: "Five goals from Villa, all from English players. What was Capello doing at the Cottage?!"

1729: Ledley King got injured making a routine tackle, and perhaps the most naturally talented centre-back England have had for a few years limps off injured once again, throwing the armband to Michael Dawson before being replaced by Sebastien Bassong.

1728: Spurs captain Ledley King is injured and looks like he might be replaced.

1726: Jermain Defoe collects the ball just outside the Wigan box and surges in from the left and after he goes down with Paul Scharner near him, the Spurs fans appeal for a penalty. But Defoe doesn't, really, and referee Alan Wiley waves play on.

1723: David Bentley's corner from the Spurs right is headed goalwards by Peter Crouch, but Chris Kirkland makes a fairly comfortable save.

1722: Back under way at Wigan 0-1 Tottenham. On BBC Radio 5 live, they said they were showing replays of Jermain Defoe's goal on the screens at half-time and one Wigan fan was so disgusted he threw his pie at the telly. It splattered all over the place, apparently. Haha.

Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez: "We were working very hard and we had control for most of it, but they had some counter-attacks and the fans got a bit excited. I think a draw was a fair result, we have to be a little bit better in attack in future."

From Piggin_Tea_Break on 606: "At the end of the day, sports fans, isn't it great to see such a close battle for the final Champions League place?"

Fulham manager Roy Hodgson: "We got off to the worst possible start, but after that I thought we rallied well and over the course of the 90 minutes I thought we were good value for the win."

Man City boss Roberto Mancini: "Every time we don't win a game I am disappointed, but both teams defended very well and a draw was a fair result in the end. It's probably a better result for us than for them."

From Steve, Leeds, via text to 81111: "Can someone remind me what happened the last time Spurs were a goal up at half-time against Wigan?"

BBC Radio 5 live's Robbie Savage: "As we watch the Liverpool players warming down at Eastlands, that's as quick as a few of them have moved all day. I've rarely been so disappointed - they didn't want to win it, either of them."

1705: Half-time Wigan 0-1 Tottenham
Jermain Defoe's offside goal separates the two teams and it's bucketing it down in the north-west, which will not help the worst Premier League pitch I have seen for a very long time. I know some of you disagree, but it's a disgrace teams have to play on that in this day and age in the richest league in the world.

1703: Into injury time in the first half at Wigan v Spurs, where the visitors still lead 1-0.

From nathonhorton on Twitter: "Why couldn't you have had a repeat of yesterday's technical problems during the last 90 minutes?"

BBC Sport's Phil McNulty at Eastlands: "Obviously words can't fail me or I would have a major problem - but this was the sort of match that could reduce you to that. Shocking. Awful. Mediocre. Miserable. There are others but they may be for another day. Rotten - there's another one."

1656: If you can, have a look at the 'As it stands' Premier League table on the right-hand side of this page. Fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh - all separated by a single point.

1653: Full-time Fulham 2-1 Birmingham
Bobby Zamora shakes hands with all and sundry as the Cottagers celebrate his dramatic late winner that denied Birmingham a point. Is Zamora's season going to end, astonishingly, with a seat on the plane to South Africa?

1653: Full-time Manchester City 0-0 Liverpool
Games between two top clubs don't get a whole lot worse than that. It was 90 minutes of pure frustration as the defences comfortably snuffed out two poor attacks. What a disappointment.

1650: We don't know at this juncture whether Fabio Capello was at Craven Cottage for long enough to see Bobby Zamora's possible winner.

Fulham goal: You can't keep Bobby Zamora out of the headlines, can you? And why would anyone want to? The red-hot striker bags his 15th of the season with a pearler of a left-foot free-kick from 20 yards that a diving Joe Hart can only help into the top corner.

1648: GOAL Fulham 2-1 Birmingham

1647: We're entering five minutes of added time at Eastlands. Way to prolong the agony.

Spurs goal: It's offside - by two yards. I wonder how an assistant referee can not see that... Anyway, Spurs attack and Niko Kranjcar plays in Gareth Bale down the left - his cross is met by Jermain Defoe and diverted into the net. But it shouldn't count in a million, billion years.

1645: GOAL Wigan 0-1 Tottenham

1644: Frantic, but no clear-cut chances at Fulham, as Danny Murphy's shot from 25 yards is easily saved by Joe Hart.

1643: Gareth Barry needs a bit of treatment after going down under a challenge from Javier Mascherano. Liverpool send on Alberto Aquilani on for Dirk Kuyt.

1641: Emmanuel Adebayor goes down in the Liverpool area after a tussle with Daniel Agger, but referee Peter Walton is having none of it.

1639: Best chance at Wigan as Hugo Rodallega plays a one-two with Marcelo Moreno before clipping a right-foot shot goalwards that Heurelho Gomes, arching his back, tips over the Tottenham crossbar.

1638: Goal-saving tackle at Eastlands from Martin Skrtel as Emmanuel Adebayor raced through - fabulous bit of defending. Moments later, from Vincent Kompany's cross, Adebayor heads over. About 10 minutes remaining.

1636: Running out of time in the three o'clock kick-offs. The scores remain Man City 0-0 Liverpool and Fulham 1-1 Birmingham.

From davidgilmourthe3rd on 606: "Wigan should be docked points for failing to provide a proper surface to play football on. Disgraceful and is not a PL standard ground. People could get seriously injured on this surface."

1632: Steven Gerrard's shot flies straight into the arms of Shay Given at Eastlands. Liverpool send Fernando Torres on for Ryan Babel, while man City give a first taste of Premier League football to Abdisalam Ibrahim, on for Stephen Ireland.

1630: Just over 10 minutes gone at the DW stadium and the quality of football from both sides has been about as good as the quality of the playing surface. Not great.

1629: Stunning. James McFadden puts that magical left foot of his to fine effect with a screaming 25-yard piledriver that clatters against the Fulham crossbar - thanks to a phenomenal flying fingertip save from keeper Mark Schwarzer.

1628: I cannot put it in any simpler terms than this: no-one wants to lose at Eastlands. You almost feel like they'd shake hands on a 0-0 now if they could. So disappointing.

James from Sussex, via text to 81111: "Re: 1617 - Well it is Sunday, the holiest day of the week."

1625: Yossi Benayoun's first real involvement is to pick up a booking for a late challenge on Pablo Zabaleta. On the touchline, Roberto Mancini and Craig Bellamy exchange pleasantries before the striker comes on for Shaun Wright-Phillips.

BBC Sport's Phil McNulty at Eastlands: "Manchester City fans are now calling for the introduction of Craig Bellamy and you can see why. They need a spark up front in the absence of Carlos Tevez. You could say the same about Liverpool and Fernando Torres."

1621: Liverpool send on Yossi Benayoun for Maxi Rodrigues. Still Fernando Torres sits and waits.

1619: Finally a shot on target at Eastlands. Emmanuel Adebayor forces Pepe Reina into a fine fingertip save but Liverpool are furious, claiming Adebayor controlled the ball with his hand before getting his shot away.

1618: Under way at the DW as Wigan take on Spurs.

Fulham goal: Fabulous goal. Talk of turning the clock back - that is Damien Duff at his absolute best. He cuts in from the Fulham right, plays a fine one-two with Zoltan Gera, takes a couple more touches and then spanks a stunning left-foot shot in-off Joe Hart's right-hand post.

1617: GOAL Fulham 1-1 Birmingham

1617: There will be a delay at Wigan v Spurs as they fix a hole in the net. Insert your own gags here.

1615: It's a shocker at Eastlands. The game still needs a spark, as a certain Fernando Torres sits on the visiting bench, all wrapped up against the cold.

From optajoe on Twitter: "The 5-2 win over Burnley was the first time a PL match at Villa Park saw seven goals since May 1999. Bonanza."

1610: Adam Johnson's left-foot volleyed cross from the Man City right catches Ryan Babel flush in the face and it poleaxes the Dutchman. He lies prone on the floor and needs a little bit of treatment. Might need more than the magic sponge for that one. Ouch.

1608: Man City's fans have turned up the volume a touch and the players have responded, as Adam Johnson - by far their liveliest player - has a shot deflected behind.

From GraymeadYNW on 606: "I think that 3-3 prediction is looking like your worst of the season, mate."
It's got some competition, in fairness

1603: They've kicked off again at Craven Cottage too, where it's Fulham 0-1 Birmingham.

1602: Back under way at Eastlands - Manchester City 0-0 Liverpool.

1601: Haha. Jose Hart? (1548) Dunno where that came from, but I do quite like it. Shall I stick with it?

1559: Very big result from the Championship, then, with West Brom failing to leapfrog Nottingham Forest in second place after Bristol City came from behind to beat them at Ashton Gate. City go 12th, seven points off the play-offs and eight clear of the drop zone.

1556: Full-time Aston Villa 5-2 Burnley
It was an interesting game until a mental 10-minute spell in the second half saw Burnley collapse like a pack of cards. Brian Laws walks on to the pitch and claps, but one point from 14 away games this season is sending Burnley down at this rate.

1555: Full-time Bristol City 2-1 West Brom

Burnley goal: I mean it makes no difference, but fair play to Burnley for giving it a go until the final whistle - great professionalism. Jack Cork, who has been their best player, fashions space to cross from the left and his excellent ball along the six-yard box is converted at the far post by Martin Paterson.

1553: GOAL Aston Villa 5-2 Burnley

1552: Into injury time at Villa Park, but this game was dead and buried a lifetime ago. We're due four minutes extra in Aston Villa 5-1 Burnley.

1550: He's immersed in events at the Gate. It's Football League Macca: "West Brom are throwing men forward in the dying stages and Roman Bednar shoots at the legs of Dean Gerken and then heads over. Nervous times for Bristol City, who have a habit of throwing away leads. Last couple of minutes at Ashton Gate."

1548: Half-time Fulham 0-1 Birmingham
Just that early horror own goal from Chris Baird that separates the two teams at the Cottage. Advantage Joe Hart in the battle to impress Fabio Capello.

1547: Half-time Manchester City 0-0 Liverpool
Really not quite the game we had hoped for at Eastlands, but surely it can only get better after the break? A goal is what we need there, make no mistake.

1546: Steven Gerrard is shown a yellow card for a lunge in on Joleon Lescott as he tried to recover the ball and keep it around the Man City area after a decent spell of pressure from the visitors.

1544: Maxi Rodrigues tries to turn the clock back four years to the 2006 World Cup and his stunning goal for Argentina against Mexico, but this time his right-foot volley from outside the box hits Adam Johnson. Moments later, Martin Skrtel heads a Steven Gerrard corner wide from four yards. Should have scored.

1541: Adam Johnson has Manchester City's first shy at goal, but it curls wide. Liverpool now lead 3-1 in shots off target - latest shots on target tally remains 0-0.

From Jack, formerly depressed, now amused Bolton fan, via text to 81111: "Thank you Burnley, you're making me feel a lot better about Bolton's chances of staying up..."

1539: It's unforgiveable how many times Lucas gives the ball away, it must be infuriating for his Liverpool team mates. Man City break after one such loose pass and Pablo Zabaleta's left-foot shot from 20 yards deflects off his team-mate Emmanuel Adebayor and flies wide. Think the Togo striker was offside anyway.

1538: Wigan are without defender Titus Bramble for the visit of Spurs, so Hendry Thomas returns to the starting XI with Paul Scharner pushed back into defence. Tottenham also make just the one change to their side after securing an FA Cup fifth-round replay against Bolton last Sunday, with Niko Kranjcar starting on the left of midfield in place of compatriot Luka Modric, who is on the bench.

BBC Sport's Phil McNulty at Eastlands: "Liverpool's Javier Mascherano grins in disbelief at referee Peter Walton as he is shown a yellow card for his latest foul. The Argentine has been a persistent early offender and his complaints are ridiculous."

1535: It's gone a bit quiet at Fulham after that flurry of early chances. The hosts need a leveller there, but Simon Davies' header from a Zoltan Gera cross is saved by Joe Hart.

1533: Wigan v Tottenham line-ups:
Wigan: Kirkland, Melchiot, Caldwell, Scharner, Figueroa, Thomas, Diame, McCarthy, N'Zogbia, Moreno, Rodallega.
Subs: Stojkovic, Watson, Scotland, Moses, Gomez, Sinclair, Boyce.
Tottenham: Gomes, Corluka, Dawson, King, Bale, Bentley, Huddlestone, Palacios, Kranjcar, Crouch, Defoe.
Subs: Alnwick, Kaboul, Pavlyuchenko, Modric, Gudjohnsen, Bassong, Rose.
Referee: Alan Wiley (Staffordshire)

1531: Dirk Kuyt's quickly-taken free-kick may just have got Vincent Kompany off the hook after he appeared to have dived in two-footed to a halfway line tackle. Maybe a bit lucky for him - and lucky for City that Liverpool's passing radar is clearly on the blink.

BBC Sport's Phil McNulty at Eastlands: "Adam Johnson is looking Manchester City's liveliest option so far, but Liverpool have not been unduly troubled. Strangely subdued atmosphere inside Eastlands - although not much to get the fans fired up so far."

Villa goal: It's a bit embarrassing now for the visitors. Villa carve them open again down the right and once inside the penalty area, Emile Heskey tees up James Milner to cross for Gabby Agbonlahor to tap-in from close-range, despite the attentions of two defenders.

1529: GOAL Aston Villa 5-1 Burnley

1526: Steven Gerrard is drifting out to the right quite a lot and he cuts in before firing a left-foot shot a few yards over Shay Given's bar from just outside the box.

BBC Sport's Phil McNulty at Eastlands: "Liverpool have started in much more accomplished fashion than a tentative-looking Manchester City. Referee Peter Walton has already upset the Eastlands locals - who are noisily demanding a more positive approach from their team. Early sparring is the order of the day."

Villa goal: Rampant - and that is officially game over. Gabby Agbonlahor gets away down the Villa left and squares for Emile Heskey to slot home from close-range. Burnley's defenders have gone missing - three goals in five minutes and we're done at Villa Park.

1522: GOAL Aston Villa 4-1 Burnley

1522: Football League Macca: "A good start to the second half for Bristol City and they turn the game on its head in four minutes. They get back on level terms through Chris Iwelumo, stabbing home after Lee Johnson's corner hits Louis Carey and falls perfectly for him. Danny Haynes then goes all giant slalom on the Baggies defence and squares for an unmarked Johnson to tap in. Oh lordy."

1521: Stewart Downing's first-time left-foot shot forces a fumbling save from Brian Jensen. Could have had a four-minute hat-trick, the England winger.

Villa goal: Burnley are all over the place and a two-minute spell of madness might have just cost them the points. Gabby Agobonlahor has a one-on-one saved by Brian Jensen, but it comes back out to Stewart Downing and his left-foot shot from 20 yards takes a wicked deflection off Danny Fox before wrong-footing Jensen and flying into the bottom corner.

1519: GOAL Aston Villa 3-1 Burnley

Villa goal: The hosts have had a decent spell of pressure and they take the lead as Ashley Young takes the ball down the left and with Burnley all over the place at the back he squares for Stewart Downing to take a touch and fire a right-foot shot past Brian Jensen and Leon Cort on the line.

1517: GOAL Aston Villa 2-1 Burnley

From TheSportsDirector on 606: "Stevo, don't forget World Cup-bound Bobby, I hear Capello's in the stands, specifically watching Zamora."

1513: Liverpool's Maxi Rodriguez tries an ambitious right-foot shot from an angle on the left and the referee gives a corner, though it didn't look like it took a deflection as the ball sailed wide.

1510: Chris Baird goes from villain to hero with a goal-saving block to stop Keith Fahey's shot from making it 2-0 Birmingham. Up the other end and Simon Davies has a well-executed volley saved impressively by Joe Hart.

1509: First chance for Liverpool. Steven Gerrard fires over a superb cross from the Reds right and neither Dirk Kuyt nor Maxi Rodrigues can quite get on the end of it.

1507: Second half under way at Villa Park, where it is Aston Villa 1-1 Burnley.

1506: Daniel Agger boots a rubbish pass out of play for Liverpool. Precisely nothing has happened so far at Eastlands.

Blues goal: Stunning. As far as own goals go, anyway. Birmingham launch their first attack and from Lee Bowyer's cross from the right-hand side of the area, Fulham defender Chris Baird inexplicably thumps a header from six yards past Mark Schwarzer and into his own net. Remarkable.

1504: GOAL Fulham 0-1 Birmingham

1502: And Fulham and Birmingham have started at Craven Cottage to boot.

1501: Under way at Manchester City as they take on Liverpool in the fourth-place-off at Eastlands.

From SportsDeskLive on Twitter: "Fulham's starting line-up against Birmingham has an average age of 30 years and 173 days - the oldest starting line up in the PL this season."

1456: Not long from getting under way in the traditionally-timed kick-offs this afternoon, as Manchester City host Liverpool and Fulham entertain Birmingham.

From Tom Hopkins, via text to 81111: "Considering O'Neill has never won a game with Villa in March, games like this are a must-win, especially for any Champions League hopes."

1450: Half-time Aston Villa 1-1 Burnley
Two very contrasting goals, but the result is that we're level in the game where two former Nottingham Forest heroes pit their wits against each other. Where's your money?

1449: Get the half-time teas in, Football League Macca: "The half-time whistle goes at Ashton Gate, bringing an end to a very watchable 45 minutes. Chances for both sides but the Baggies are showing why they own the best away record in the Champo. "You can sort of see the quality coming through, Bristol City have had more chances but you feel West Brom can go up another gear," says Lee Dixon on the Beeb."

1447: Three minutes of injury time? Fair enough.

1445: The sun has crept behind the stands at Villa Park as the hosts plough a couple of crosses into the Burnley box which the visitors defend well. Approaching injury time in the Midlands.

1442: Football League Macca: "Great opportunity for Bristol C, awful finish. Danny Haynes pulls off a lovely spin to take himself away from Gabriel Tamas, but with the goal at his mercy he slashes horribly at the ball and the chance is wasted." Grr...

1441: Villa have most of the ball right now, but Burnley's Jack Cork has had a very encouraging 45 minutes for the visitors. He looks a really good prospect in the midfield, the on-loan Chelsea man. Clarke Carlisle is booked for a reckless two-footed tackle on Ashley Young.

From optajoe on Twitter: "Villa have won only one of the last 15 matches in which they have conceded first in the PL (vs Chelsea). Capitulation."

1436: More Football League Macca, but can I apologise for his closing effort? Shambles: "Half an hour gone and Bristol City almost find themselves two down. Roman Bednar and Graham Dorrans are looking really threatening going forward and the former finds room at the back post before firing in a low shot. The hosts have Dean Gerken to thank for getting them out of a real pickle."

Villa goal: Teams at the bottom don't get any luck, do they? Villa take a corner down their left short and from just outside the box Ashley Young swings the ball into the Burnley box. It's low, not the best ball in, but somehow it evades a couple of players, takes a slight outside edge off Danny Fox and beats a fairly slow attempt to save it from Brian Jensen.

1433: GOAL Aston Villa 1-1 Burnley

1432: Fulham make only one change from the side that beat Shakhtar Donetsk on Thursday, with Nicky Shorey coming in for Stephen Kelly. Birmingham, who beat Derby in the FA Cup last time out, also make only a single change as Keith Fahey replaces Christian Benitez.

1431: James Collins lets fly with a fine 30-yard drive for Aston Villa, but unfortunately for the defender it's straight down the throat of Brian Jensen in the Burnley goal. Either side and that could have troubled the giant stopper.

1430: Fulham v Birmingham line-ups:
Fulham: Schwarzer, Baird, Hughes, Hangeland, Shorey, Davies, Etuhu, Murphy, Duff, Gera, Zamora.
Subs: Zuberbuhler, Kelly, Okaka, Riise, Smalling, Greening, Elm.
Birmingham: Hart, Carr, Dann, Johnson, Ridgewell, Fahey, Bowyer, Ferguson, Larsson, McFadden, Jerome.
Subs: Taylor, Phillips, Benitez, Michel, Parnaby, Vignal, Gardner.
Referee: Phil Dowd (Staffordshire)

1428: Real time action from Football League Macca: "The first sight on goal for Bristol City's Chris Iwelumo. He's a big unit and they're not afraid to use him as he gets on the end of a right-wing cross to head at goal, Scott Carson making the save. But then the hosts find themselves behind when Graham Dorrans is given way too much space and time in the area to pick his spot. He picks it well to fire low past Dean Gerken. Tidy finish but poor defending. 1-0 West Brom."

From Tinyessence, Plymouth, via text to 81111: "How about Villa and Everton join forces? Take Villa before Xmas, Everton after, and they'd have won the last couple seasons!"

1425: So close to a leveller for Villa. James Milner cuts back inside on to his left foot down the Villa right and curls over a fine cross that Emile Heskey gets up to glance a foot wide of the far post.

BBC Sport's Phil McNulty at Eastlands: "All eyes on the bench as Fernando Torres returns as a substitute for Liverpool after knee surgery and Craig Bellamy will also be there for Manchester City after his disagreement with manager Roberto Mancini. Mancini, according to reports and in one of the game's greatest phrases, has 'lost the dressing room' at City. This conjures up images of the Italian standing in the wilderness at their Carrington training HQ saying: 'I could have sworn I left the dressing room here - anybody remember where I put it?'"

1422: Man City v Liverpool line-ups:
Man City: Given, Zabaleta, Kompany, Lescott, Bridge, Wright-Phillips, Ireland, De Jong, Barry, Adam Johnson, Adebayor.
Subs: Taylor, Richards, Santa Cruz, Sylvinho, Toure, Bellamy, Ibrahim.
Liverpool: Reina, Carragher, Skrtel, Agger, Insua, Mascherano, Lucas, Maxi, Gerrard, Babel, Kuyt.
Subs: Cavalieri, Aquilani, Torres, Riera, Aurelio, Benayoun, Kelly.
Referee: Peter Walton (Northamptonshire)

1420: James Collins is back on for Aston Villa.

1420: More from Football League Macca, casting his eye over west country proceedings: "Bristol City are stepping up the pace at the Gate and Bradley Orr shows some nimble footing to create room to shoot, but his effort flies tamely wide. The Baggies almost catch City on the break with the dangerous Graeme Dorrans making his way into the box before also shooting wide. Decent game, to be fair to it."

From Blaffert on 606: "Aston Villa seem, once again, to be completely burned out after the New Year. Is it the style of play or a mental problem?"

1416: James Collins takes his shirt off and runs down the tunnel for some running repairs. Villa are momentarily down to 10 men. They've been struggling with 11.

1415: Great start from Burnley as David Nugent's 20-yard shot takes a horrible deflection and loops agonisingly over Brad Friedel and a yard or two wide of his left-hand post. In this claret-and-blue derby, there's claret all over James Collins' head after an aerial challenge with Clarke Carlisle.

1413: Some claims for offside against Steven Fletcher, but he was dead level with James Collins when he tucked home. Burnley, by the way, thus far have one point from their 13 away games in the Premier League.

Burnley goal: Well, well, well. With the first genuine chance of the game, the country's worst team away from home take the lead. Jack Cork slips a pass into the inside right channel for David Nugent and once inside the area, he keeps his cool to pick out Steven Fletcher to tap in from four yards. Now we're gonna get a game.

1410: GOAL Aston Villa 0-1 Burnley

1410: It's all going off at the Gate. Football League Macca's all over it: "Chances at both ends in a lively opening at Ashton Gate. Graham Dorrans tests Dean Gerken's early alertness with a low shot that the home keeper handles well, while Danny Haynes shows Theo Walcott-esque pace down the right to get away from Joe Mattock before shooting into the side-netting.

1408: That Twitter fact, below, was in fact courtesy of our friends at SportsDeskLive. You probably knew that already anyway.

1407: Gabby Agbonlahor latches on to a pass down the Villa right and beats Danny Fox for pace, but Fox recovers and the Villa striker's shot deflects off the defender and loops into the arms of Brian Jensen.

From SportsDeskLive on Twitter: "Bolton failed to score for fifth straight PL match, equalling their all-time longest top-flight run without scoring set 112 years ago."

1403: It's sunny at Villa Park, though two of the stands are blocking some of the sunshine. You've got to love the weather in this country, haven't you? From the ridiculous to the sublime.

1401: We're under way at Villa Park. The hosts need a win desperately. Hang on, the visitors need a win desperately too. Hmm. here we go.

West Brom boss Roberto di Matteo: "We still have quite a few players out. The rest of the team is pulling together and working hard and we have produced some good results. It's been tight for quite a while and it's not going to get easier. We are all under pressure to get points."

BBC Radio 5 live pundit Steve Harper: "Bolton will be keeping a close eye on Burnley and Wigan's results, hoping Tottenham and Villa can do them a favour, because today they really have fallen short. Owen Coyle will be most disappointed with the manner of the goals they conceded."

1355: Full-time Blackburn 3-0 Bolton
The scoreline perhaps flatters Blackburn a little, but they certainly deserve the three points and they have no worries at all about getting dragged into a scrap at the bottom. Bolton, on the other hand...

1351: Into three pretty pointless minutes of added on time at Ewood Park as Blackburn lead Bolton 3-0.

1350: Bristol City boss Gary Johnson names an unchanged side from the team that drew 1-1 with Leicester in midweek. Roman Bednar shrugs off a back injury to make the West Brom starting line-up and Youssuf Mulumbu also comes in, so Luke Moore and Andwele Slory drop to the bench.

1348: Nikola Kalinic gets a deserved ovation as he walks off, replaced by David Dunn.

1347: Ivan Klasnic rifles in a shot for Bolton that Paul Robinson gets behind to gather safely.

Rovers goal: If Bolton keep defending like this, they're in the Championship. El-Hadji Diouf swings over a right-footed cross from the left and with Paul Robinson not even attempting to win the header, Gael Givet sneaks in to head into the far corner. Jussi Jaaskelainen doesn't even bother diving. Abject stuff from a side fighting for their lives.

1345: GOAL Blackburn 3-0 Bolton

1345: Gretar Steinsson sends the ball over from the Bolton right and Kevin Davies, marked tightly, manages to hook it a yard or two wide on the volley from about the penalty spot. Bolton are approaching 500 minutes without a Premier League goal.

Jamie from Burnley, via text to 81111: "I'm so confused by my joy at Rovers winning. Great score for us. We need to capitalise with a point at Villa, though."

1341: Scrap that at 1339 - Danny Fox will play at left-back for Burnley, with Tyrone Mears probably right-back.

1340: Bristol City v West Brom line-ups:
Bristol City: Gerken, Orr, Carey, Fontaine, Nyatanga, Haynes, Elliott, Johnson, Skuse, Clarkson, Iwelumo.
Subs: Collis, Maynard, Hartley, Williams, Sproule, Plummer, Edwards.
West Brom: Carson, Zuiverloon, Tamas, Olsson, Mattock, Brunt, Koren, Dorrans, Mulumbu, Nouble, Bednar.
Subs: Kiely, Wood, Moore, Meite, Slory, Cox, Thorne.
Referee: Neil Swarbrick (Lancashire)

1339: Aston Villa welcome back Gabriel Agbonlahor, who has shaken off the leg injury which kept him out of last weekend's FA Cup draw with Crystal Palace and replaces Fabian Delph. Boss Martin O'Neill makes one other change, with Carlos Cuellar in for Luke Young at right-back. Burnley are without David Edgar so Daniel Fox switches to right-back and Clarets manager Brian Laws brings Chris Eagles and Jack Cork into his midfield, with Wade Elliott dropping to the bench.

1337: About 15 minutes for Bolton to rescue something from this one. But it's Blackburn doing the pressing, still, as Morten Gamst Pedersen's vicious low cross from the left is agonisingly missed by both Nikola Kalinic and El-Hadji Diouf.

Rovers goal: Is that game over? Or is 2-0 a dangerous score? Either way, it's more useless Bolton defending. A corner is half-cleared but the visiting defenders switch off as Gael Givet hooks the ball back into the Bolton area and Jason Roberts, onside, side-foots towards goal, Jussi Jaaskelainen only helping it into the corner of the net.

1334: GOAL Blackburn 2-0 Bolton

1333: What a save. Steven Nzonzi's header from a Blackburn corner is plucked away from the top corner by Jussi Jaaskelainen.

1331: This is among the greatest snowfalls ever seen in Premier League football. Maybe in any football anywhere ever. You absolutely have to watch Match of the Day 2 at 2215 GMT on BBC Two and online. Seeing (or not) is believing.

1330: Caroline Cheese: "I can't see anything. It's like watching football in the 1960s." To be fair, it's more than a flurry of snow, this - it's blitzing it down. Ivan Klasnic comes on for Johan Elmander for Bolton, someone with better vision than me informs me.

1329: Nikola Kalinic has had a cracking game - he turns well on halfway and tries to send Morten Gamst Pedersen through, but Vladimir Weiss does some good tracking back to avert the danger.

From SimplyZola on 606: "Salgado looks a bit like Billy Ray Cyrus."

1325: The white stuff is pouring out of the grey north-west sky at Ewood Park now as Bolton begin to pile some serious pressure on the Blackburn goal. It's gone very, very dark all of a sudden.

1323: Aston Villa v Burnley line-ups:
Aston Villa: Friedel, Cuellar, Dunne, Collins, Warnock, Ashley Young, Milner, Petrov, Downing, Agbonlahor, Heskey.
Subs: Guzan, Luke Young, Sidwell, Carew, Delfouneso, Delph, Beye.
Burnley: Jensen, Mears, Carlisle, Cort, Fox, Eagles, Cork, Bikey, McDonald, Nugent, Fletcher.
Subs: Weaver, Duff, Paterson, Elliott, Blake, Nimani N'galou, Thompson.
Referee: Stuart Attwell (Warwickshire)

1322: Blackburn send on Jason Roberts for Junior Hoilett, who has had a pretty good game I reckon.

Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson on Cristiano Ronaldo: "I got a text from him last week saying: 'I miss you so much'. I'd texted him to say happy birthday. He was 24. And he said he missed me, and 'thanks for all the kind things you're saying about me'. You appreciate things like that."

1320: Double change for Bolton, with Mark Davies and Vladimir Weiss coming on for Matthew Taylor and Fabrice Muamba.

1319: Cracking save again from Paul Robinson, flying away to his right to keep out Chung-Yong Lee's right-foot drive from 12 yards after a nice lay-off from Johan Elmander.

From Nath, doing uni work in Norwich, via text to 81111: "I'm sick of getting slated for being a Bolton fan. Pipe down 606 commentator, people don't fill our stadiums because all the glory supporters skip over to United and now City at the first sign of a struggle. Stop being ignorant and get some common sense. Or maybe you don't understand the nature of the geography in question. Keep it up Bolton!"

1314: Remember also that Bristol City v West Brom from the Championship is live on BBC One and this website from 1345 GMT. We'll be putting it at the top of this page so don't worry about that.

1312: Brilliant football. Blackburn get it forward and Morten Gamst Pedersen's fine cross from the left is met by a diving header from Junior Hoilett from eight yards, Jussi Jaaskelainen pulling off a top-drawer reaction save away to his right.

1310: Bolton do need something from their strikers today. Johan Elmander and Kevin Davies are now playing against a defence ravaged by injuries and they must take advantage. The ball is played forward by Bolton and Paul Robinson races off his line to thwart Ricardo Gardner. Fine, alert goalkeeping.

1307: Dangerous defending, as Zat Knight turns full circle inside his own area to shrug off Nikola Kalinic. If the striker had stolen the ball, Jussi Jaaskelainen wasn't even standing in the goal.

1306: It's snowing in Blackburn as the players get us under way in the second half, a far cry from the summery weather we were blessed with on Saturday at Goodison Park. Hang on, it might have stopped. One change at the interval - referee Chris Foy has pulled a calf muscle and Lee Probert takes over.

From Exodude on Twitter: "3-3? Optimistic, what with the amount of chances the Reds missed in the Europa game... However, here's to an end-to-end thriller!"

1300: Here's what is still to come:
1400 GMT: Aston Villa v Burnley
1500 GMT: Fulham v Birmingham
1500 GMT: Manchester City v Liverpool
1615 GMT: Wigan v Tottenham

From 606commentator on 606: "I don't like seeing half-empty stadiums. Credit to Stoke, they may be boring to watch but at least they fill their stadium and create an atmosphere to intimidate the opposition. Bolton, Blackburn and Wigan don't ever achieve this."

From Denzel, Bolton fan, via text to 81111: "Why on earth does Owen Coyle persist in playing Paul Robinson? He is a liability. Then of course it is deemed a good decision to play two donkeys up front and leave Klasnic, Cohen, Weiss and Wilshere on the bench. Am I the only person who fails to see the sense!? OK... rant over."

BBC Radio 5 live pundit Steve Harper: "Owen Coyle will be disappointed but he'll want to get Bolton in and tell them they did well for most of that half and to carry on doing what they were doing. They had a great chance to take the lead and then one minute later they find themselves behind."

1249: Half-time Blackburn 1-0 Bolton
Good half of football, but that won't make Owen Coyle feel any better. Bolton need something from this game, so expect to see Jack Wilshere and Vladimir Weiss soon after the break if they remain behind.

1246: We're into two minutes of stoppage time at the end of the first half at Ewood Park.

1244: I mean, you can play well for 89 minutes, but if you switch off at the back once you risk getting punished. Why was Zat Knight the only Bolton defender in the vicinity there? Odd.

Rovers goal: Well that's why they're down there. Bizarre defending from Bolton as a ball over the top finds the home side with a two-on-one situation. Junior Hoilett does well to tee up Nikola Kalinic and his right-foot shot from just inside the box is deflected into the corner by Zat Knight, who was left all on his own.

1242: GOAL Blackburn 1-0 Bolton

1242: Super chance for Bolton. Chung-Yong Lee creates space to cross from the right and his cross falls for Matthew Taylor at the back post, but his 10-yard left-foot shot is parried over by Paul Robinson.

1240: Keith Andrews has moved back to centre-half for Blackburn.

1240: Johan Elmander tries to play a one-two with Matthew Taylor, but the Swede goes down 20 yards out as he goes for the return and referee Chris Foy waves play on. Ryan Nelsen limps off, the New Zealander replaced by an Aussie in Vince Grella.

1238: Ryan Nelsen is struggling, he's going to come off. Blackburn are preparing a substitution.

1236: Michel Salgado rolls back the years by cutting in from the right past Matthew Taylor and surging into the Bolton box, but the one-time Real Madrid right-back overruns the ball and Jussi Jaaskelainen gathers.

From SportsDeskLive on Twitter: "It is now over seven hours of PL football since Bolton last scored a PL goal - Chung-Yong Lee netting against Burnley on January 26."

1233: ... who curls it a couple of yards past the angle of post and crossbar. I've got to stop doing that, haven't I?

1232: Nikola Kalinic does well to hold the ball up until Bolton's Paul Robinson brings him down. It's 23 yards out, slightly right of centre. Step forward Morten Gamst Pedersen...

1231: Ryan Nelsen needs a bit of treatment for Blackburn. He's off the pitch at the moment, the New Zealander, but I'm sure he'll be OK.

1228: Junior Hoilett races on to a ball forward for Blackburn, but Jussi Jaaskelainen is superbly alert and races 10 yards outside his box to make a fine sliding challenge. Great goalkeeping.

1227: It's a better game than many people would have been expecting - including the locals, judging by the empty seats. Not sure how we're still goalless, in fairness.

From James Allen on 606: "I am liking the new-look football from Bolton, but I thought the whole point of signing Weiss and Wilshere was to help Bolton play the football that Coyle wants us to. Why are they not starting?"

1223: Double chance - and somehow, Bolton survive. Firstly, Keith Andrews sees his header cleared off the line as Blackburn throw players forward for a corner and then from the rebound Nikola Kalinic volleys thunderously against the post.

1221: Would you believe that your friend and mine Caroline Cheese is doing this match report? My live text colleague has reminded me that this is the Paul Robinson derby too, with the teams enjoying one apiece. I wonder if the Neighbours legend is watching on, somewhere, filled with pride for his screen character namesakes?

1218: The winners of this one might be the team who can get their cultured left foot on the ball as much as possible and in the dangerous areas, too. It's Morten Gamst Pedersen v Matthew Taylor.

1216: It's gone a little scrappy at Blackburn, but Bolton are more in the game than they were at the start and they tee up Fabrice Muamba to curl over from 20 yards.

From Dave, an Aussie in Nottingham, via text to 81111: "Been up since 3.45am to watch my beloved Perth Glory lose on penalties in an elimination final back in Australia. The coffee's wearing off and I shall soon be shifting to something harder... Let's hope a day of top class games keeps me awake!"

1211: First real danger from Bolton sees Matt Taylor swing over a fabulous cross from their left and with Kevin Davies lurking, Gael Givet gets in a crucial header to clear inside his own six-yard box. It's lively, you'd have to give it that.

1209: It's all Blackburn. Morten Gamst Pedersen's brilliant cross from the left is headed goalwards by Nikola Kalinic and Jussi Jaskelainen pulls off a fine reflex save. Kalinic, it turns out seconds later, was offside anyway.

1208: Worst shot of the day. Morten Gamst Pedersen throws another long one into the mixer and when it comes back to him, he volleys left-footed wildly wide. In fact, it goes away for a throw-in on the other side of the pitch. About 20 yards from the byeline. Oh dear.

1206: Ball in the net - but no goal. Morten Gamst Pedersen hurls a long throw towards the Bolton goal and it flies straight over Jussi Jaaskelainen and in. But it didn't touch anyone, so it doesn't count.

BBC Radio 5 live pundit Steve Harper: "I think they've cleared the snow off the pitch and also cleared the grass off it too, or at least it looks like that from up here."

1203: Junior Hoilett goes up for a challenge with Jussi Jaaskelainen and referee Chris Foy gives the keeper the benefit of the doubt and a free-kick, predictably.

1201: On the 'W' of the whistle (I know, I haven't really thought this through), we're under way in the north-west. Too many empty seats for my liking, but let's not dwell on that already.

1159: I can barely believe that Football League Macca is in the mixer too today. Here's his very, very late morning chat: "You would have thought five Premier League games, a Champions League play-off (kind of), a Lancashire hotpot and some top-drawer chat would be enough for one Sunday. But no. How about we throw in a Championship showdown featuring freefalling Bristol City at home to happy travellers West Brom? It's live on BBC One and this very website from 1345 GMT. Exciting times."

1157: The teams are out for this Lancashire ho- er, derby at Ewood Park between Blackburn, in 12th, against Bolton, who lie 18th.

From number_10 on Twitter: "Only one of the last 17 meetings between Blackburn and Bolton has ended in a home win. That is stunning!!"

1153: After Polly let herself down so badly yesterday, it's time to go back to Stevo's Predos:
Aston Villa 2-0 Burnley
Blackburn 1-1 Bolton
Fulham 1-0 Birmingham
Man City 3-3 Liverpool
Wigan 1-2 Tottenham
Lawro's Premier League predictions

1149: Blackburn v Bolton: Rovers have lost only one of their last 12 home games in the Premier League, while Bolton have gone 415 minutes without scoring in the top flight. Since a 2-1 win at Birmingham in September, the Trotters have taken three points from a possible 27 on the road.

Steve from London, via text to 81111: "I have faith in Johan Elmander. He will come good soon. It would be nice if he scored a winner today."

From JamesD1 on 606: "Re 1130 - what about Everton as a realistic club to be chasing for fourth place? Yes, they could be 10 points behind after today but with victories against Man Utd and Chelsea in consecutive games there is no reason why they cannot continue to be top of the form table for another six games. Did anyone watch them yesterday? They looked seriously good."

1141: What are you waiting for? Without mentioning the phrase "Lancashire hotpot", drop us a missive: texts go to 81111 (UK) and +44 7786200666 (the world); bare your soul on 606; and get with the programme by tweeting @Stevo_football.

1138: Blackburn boss Sam Allardyce makes one change from the team that beat Hull on 10 February as Junior Hoilett replaces Brett Emerton, who misses out altogether. Owen Coyle keeps faith with the Bolton side who drew 0-0 at Wigan in midweek, meaning Arsenal loanee Jack Wilshere is again on the bench.

1135: Blackburn v Bolton line-ups:
Blackburn: Robinson, Salgado, Nelsen, Givet, Olsson, Andrews, Nzonzi, Hoilett, Pedersen, Diouf, Kalinic.
Subs: Brown, Dunn, Roberts, Grella, Reid, Di Santo, Chimbonda.
Bolton: Jaaskelainen, Steinsson, Ricketts, Knight, Robinson, Lee, Muamba, Gardner, Taylor, Elmander, Kevin Davies.
Subs: Al Habsi, Mark Davies, Klasnic, Cohen, Andrew O'Brien, Wilshere, Weiss.
Referee: Chris Foy (Merseyside)

1133: Yep, welcome to a bumper Sunday. The top three have pulled away, so it's left to one from four to battle for the final berth in club football's greatest competition. Manchester City, Liverpool, Aston Villa and Tottenham are all in action today - we've got five games in total, so get ready for all hell to break loose.

1130: Let me get this straight: The Premier League, in an attempt to make its product even more marketable, wants four clubs to fight for the final place in the Champions League? Hang on, isn't that almost exactly what's happening already today...

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Premier League results

21 Feb 2010 23:59 UK

Premier League table snapshot

As it stood on 21 Feb 2010 23:59 UK

Position	Team	P	GD	PTS
1	Chelsea	27	41	61
2	Man Utd	27	39	57
3	Arsenal	27	33	55
4	Tottenham	27	22	46
5	Man City	26	15	46
6	Liverpool	27	16	45
7	Aston Villa	26	16	45
8	Everton	26	1	38
9	Fulham	27	3	37
10	Birmingham	26	-3	37
11	Stoke	26	-3	34
12	Blackburn	27	-14	34
13	West Ham	26	-5	27
14	Sunderland	26	-12	26
15	Wigan	26	-26	25
16	Wolves	26	-23	24
17	Hull	27	-29	24
18	Bolton	26	-20	23
19	Burnley	26	-28	23
20	Portsmouth	26	-23	16

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