With the weather starting to thaw, only two of yesterday's Premiership matches were postponed. Blackpool had to postpone their third match of the season this time against Liverpool, the other postponement was at Goodison Park which would have hosted Everton against Birmingham.
The lunch-time kick-off saw Fulham get hit by their West Ham demons. West Ham came back from 1-0 down to win 2-1 at Upton Park earlier this season but Fulham dominated the first half hour. This included a free header by Aaron Hughes just after ten minutes to score his first goal since 2004 to put Fulham ahead. But history started to repeat itself when Carlton Cole equalised eight minutes from time. Frederic Piquionne put West Ham ahead in first half injury time and Cole sealed the victory in the 73rd minute to go level on points with Fulham at the foot of the table.
Wigan were also on hand to win a 'six pointer' at the bottom end away to Wolves. Wolves started slowly and were punished as Hugo Rodellga put the Latics ahead just after nine minutes. Tom Cleverly continued his recent form by putting Wigan 2-0 ahead after twenty minutes with Wolves still yet to start. Wolves did pull one back three minutes from time thanks to substitute Steven Fletcher but Wigan held on to the win.
Tevez looked to have put his recent upset behind him as he scored two goals for Manchester City on the way to beating Newcastle. Gareth Barry put City ahead after just two minutes before Tevez doubled the lead three minutes later. Andy Carroll did pull one back for Newcastle after 72 minutes but Tevez ended the game nine minutes later as his shot played pinball between Simpson and Coloccini before finding the net. Moving City into second place with Chelsea playing Arsenal in tonight's Monday Night Football.
Bolton continued their great season with a win at home to West Brom. Matthew Taylor opened the scoring five minutes before half-time before Johann Elmander scored his ninth of the season four minutes from time.
Steve Kean's first match in charge of Blackburn ended in a home defeat to Stoke. Stoke's height won the match as they defended every high ball and defender Robert Huth scored with a towering header six minutes into the second half. Marc Wilson rounded the game off in injury time to ensure Stoke's win.
Manchester United stayed at the top with games in hand as they beat Sunderland at Old Trafford. United flew out of the traps and could have had four or five in the opening twenty minutes. They had to settle for one as Berbatov put them ahead after five minutes with a mixture of woodwork and Gordon keeping United at bay. Berbatov doubled United's lead twelve minutes into the second half to give United the win.
Boxing Day's tea-time fixture saw history repeat itself again as Aston Villa hosted Tottenham. Tottenham won 2-1 in October at White Hart Lane and went onto win 2-1 here with the same scorers at both ends. Villa had an early penalty decision turned down despite a good claim, but referee Martin Atkinson gave the right decision. Rafael Van Der Vaart put Tottenham ahead after 23 minutes before Defoe was sent off for an elbow four minutes later, it probably should have been a yellow. It didn't deter Tottenham as they went onto have a goal disallowed as the ball was judged to have gone out, but replays looked to show that the whole ball hadn't crossed the line. Despite Villa's attempts to equalise, Tottenham caught them on the counter attack and Van Der Vaart finished it off after 67 minutes. Marc Albrighton installed some hope after his cross ended up nestling in the corner with no-one getting on the end of it, eight minutes from time. The result sees Tottenham cement fourth place with Villa now fifteenth and four points from bottom but also just four points from eighth.
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