Aston Villa overtook Leeds at the top of the Premiership after recovering from a nightmare start to beat Bolton Wanderers 3-2 at Villa Park this afternoon. £9.5million record signing Juan Pablo struck twice and set up the other for strike partner Darius Vassell after the in-form Michael Ricketts had given Bolton the lead after just 66 seconds. The striker, who scored the winner against Manchester United last week, scored the visitors’ second fifteen minutes from time, but John Gregory’s side held on to claim top spot for the first time in nearly three years.
Meanwhile, first half goals from Jamie Redknapp and Michael Owen set Liverpool up for a 2-0 win over Charlton at The Valley, despite playing second fiddle for most of the second half. Redknapp opened the scoring on his 250th League appearance with a superb volley after 14 minutes and Owen made it 2-0 on his comeback after injury two minutes before half-time. Stephen Wright was sent off two minutes from time for a second bookable offence.
Arsenal were denied a rare win over Sunderland when Patrick Vieira blazed a second half penalty over the bar as the Wearsiders held on for a 1-1 draw. The Gunners, who have not won on Wearside since 1967, went in front through Nwankwo Kanu five minutes before the interval, but Stefan Schwarz had the satisfaction of scoring the equaliser against his old club in the 54th minute.
Elsewhere, Teddy Sheringham and Les Ferdinand scored the goals to make it a happy 44th birthday for manager Glenn Hoddle as Spurs came from behind to beat Middlesbrough 2-1 at White Hart Lane. Alen Boksic gave Boro the lead with a stunning volley after just eight minutes, latching on to a Paul Ince free-kick. But Sheringham slotted home a 58th minute penalty after Franck Queudrue tripped Mauricio Taricco, and Ferdinand crashed home the winner two minutes later after Gus Poyet helped on Taricco's right wing cross.
Shay Given inspired Newcastle United to a 3-1 win at Everton, producing several top drawer saves to deny the home side a deserved win at Goodison Park. United took the lead when Paul Gerrard collided with Abel Xavier as he came out to clear a long ball in the 19th minute, and Craig Bellamy rolled the ball into the empty net. Nolberto Solano's 49th minute diving header from Alan Shearer's cross doubled the lead before David Weir headed in a corner for the Toffees, but the game was gone when Clarence Acuna made it 3-1 four minutes from time.
Fulham claimed only their second victory of the season with a 2-1 win against fellow early season strugglers Southampton. Steed Malbranque scored both goals for the Cottagers either side of a reply by James Beattie, who netted his sixth of the season.
Filed by Shane Murray
