Goalkeeper Shay Given produced a superb display to earn Manchester City a point their below-par performance barely deserved against Birmingham at St Andrew’s on Sunday. The former Newcastle player made a string of fine saves, the highlight a second-half penalty stop to deny James McFadden.

It was a fourth successive draw in the Premier League for Mark Hughes’ side, who nonetheless moved into the top four on goal difference. (more…)

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Ten-man Sunderland came from two goals down at the Stadium of Light to snatch a deserved draw and deny West Ham a first Premier League win since the opening day of the season. Things looked bleak for the hosts when goals from Guillermo Franco - his first for the club - and the impressive Carlton Cole put the Hammers two up. But Andy Reid’s superb free-kick gave them hope and, after Kenwyne Jones had seen red in first-half stoppage time, Kieran Richardson tapped home a cross from the returning Darren Bent to equalise.

West Ham also finished the game a man light after Radoslav Kovac was sent off late on. (more…)

Aruna Dindane destroyed Wigan with a superb hat-trick but Paul Hart’s side still remain bottom of the Premier League. Dindane’s treble was accompanied by a goal from strike partner Frederic Piquionne as Pompey scored four goals for the second time this week. However, there was more concern for debt-ridden Pompey when Piquionne was stretchered off in the second half with a head injury.

Wigan were outfought and outplayed throughout and never tested England goalkeeper David James. (more…)

Wolves central defender Jody Craddock rescued a point with a second-half double after his side had been outplayed in the opening 45 minutes of a pulsating Staffordshire derby at the Britannia Stadium. The 34-year-old had previously scored only eight league goals in six seasons at Molineux but he salvaged an unlikely share of the spoils, both from crosses by substitute Nenad Milijas.

An own goal from George Elokobi and Matthew Etherington’s stunning volley had put Stoke in command after dominating the first period. (more…)

Liverpool’s hopes of a revived push at the Premier League title collapsed in spectacular fashion at Craven Cottage where a 3-1 Fulham win made it five league defeats from just eleven games played.

Rafael Benitez grimaced on the touchline as nine-man Liverpool were given a mauling in a humiliating defeat at Craven Cottage. Liverpool defenders Philipp Degen and Jamie Carragher were sent off for reckless fouls and by the end the Fulham crowd were chanting ”Easy, easy” as Liverpool resembled a shambles. (more…)