Debut Goals

The remaining six Premiership games took place yesterday with plenty of goals and a few debut goalscorers. With the big three all winning on Tuesday, Manchester City needed to keep up the pace away to Birmingham. They looked set to do so after just four minutes when a deflected Tevez shot just managed to roll in. Birmingham equalised after 23 with a goal from Nikola Zigic but a Kolarov free-kick regained City's lead four minutes before half-time. Birmingham stuck to their guns and were awarded a penalty when Phillips was blocked off by Vieira, Gardner stepped up to equalise with thirteen minutes left to play.

Just the one goal at the Reebok, despite many close chances, separated Bolton and Wolves. It came in the depths of injury time when Ronald Zubar sent a shocking pass back to Hennessey. it was far too light and debutant Danny Sturridge intercepted before putting it past Hennessey to give Bolton all three points.

Life without Torres seemed to carry on as normal as Liverpool eased to victory at home to Stoke. The deadlock was finally broken just two minutes into the second half when a Gerrard free-kick rolled into the path of Meireles via Kyrgiakos for the Portuguese international to score his third goal in four starts. The game was wrapped up eleven minutes from time when debutant Luis Suarez rounded off a decent first appearance from the bench with a goal that came after rounding Begovic before rolling it home, despite desperate a chance to clear off the line.

West Ham moved off the foot of the Premiership with a win away to Blackpool in a game that involved some dreadful goalkeeping. All the action took place in the first half and the deadlock was broken after 24 minutes when Victor Obinna shot from a tight angle at Kingson's front post, it looked for all the world like Kingson was saving it but it flashed off his hands and into the net. West Ham doubled their lead after 37 with debutant Robbie Keane smashing one home. Charlie Adam pulled one back with three minutes to go before half-time, he shot direct from a corner that went straight along the floor and somehow managed to escape all the defenders and keeper Green before finding its way into the net. But West Ham restored their two goal cushion two minutes later with a fantastic goal from Obinna to get his second of the night.

The night's televised encounter was separated by just the one goal as Fulham entertained Newcastle. Former Newcastle player Duff scored the winner after 67 minutes to see Mark Hughes' side move above Blackpool into twelfth. Tottenham also only required one goal to see off Blackburn, Peter Crouch scored the only goal after just three minutes to keep up the pace with the top four.