Leeds United were knocked from the Premiership's summit by Newcastle United who beat David O'Leary's men 3-1 in front of a record 52,130 spectators at St James' Park this afternoon. The visitors went in front with the quickest goal of the season when Alan Smith struck after 28 seconds, but a Michael Duberry own goal after 44 minutes levelled the scores at the break. Kieron Dyer hit the home side's second when he latched on to a brilliant lay-off by Craig Bellamy to beat Nigel Martyn on the hour, before Bellamy himself sealed the win three minutes from time to knock David O'Leary's side from the summit. Danny Mills was sent-off for lashing out at Bellamy to complete a miserable afternoon for Leeds.
Elsewhere, Ipswich continued their revival with their fourth win in five games to move within a point of climbing out of the bottom three after they beat Tottenham 2-1 at Portman Road. Marcus Bent scored his fourth goal in five games after 12 minutes to put George Burley's men in front, and John McGreal's late header put the tractor boys within touching distance of safety after Gus Poyet had equalised for Spurs.
Chelsea's Champions League hopes were dealt another blow after failing to beat battling Bolton at the Reebok Stadium. Eidur Gudjohnsen netted against his former club to fire the visitors ahead eight minutes into the second half, but the advantage was short-lived as Michael Ricketts levelled with his 14th of the season on 56 minutes. Substitute Mikael Forssell gave Chelsea the lead again nine minutes later only for Kevin Nolan to pop up with 11 minutes left to grab a hard-earned share of the spoils for Sam Allardyce's men.
Andy Cole grabbed his second goal for new club Blackburn Rovers as Graeme Souness' men beat 10-man Charlton 4-1 at Ewood Park. The England striker, making his home debut, had earlier combined to set up Tugay to fire Rovers ahead on five minutes with a curling effort from just inside the box. Jason Euell gave Charlton hope on 53 minutes, but Scott Parker was then sent off for a professional foul on Matt Jansen just after the hour, with Craig Hignett and Matt Jansen completing the route.
Middlesbrough slip dangerously close to the drop zone after losing 2-1 to Fulham at Craven Cottage. Colin Cooper headed Boro in front after nine minutes, but substitute Louis Saha levelled five minutes before the break, before record signing Steve Marlet struck on the stroke of halt time to leave Steve McLaren's side just one point above the bottom three.
The troubles for Derby continued as they had a man sent off in their 2-1 defeat by Aston Villa at Villa Park. Darius Vassell put the home side ahead after 12 minutes with a neat finish only for Darryl Powell to pull the Rams level. Defender Francois Grenet was then shown a red card for a professional foul on Lee Hendrie, and Villa wasted no time in making their advantage count as leading scorer Juan Pablo Angel nodded them back in front on 26 minutes.
Meanwhile, Leicester are still adrift at the bottom after Paolo di Canio's 36th-minute strike gave West Ham victory at Upton Park in what could prove to be the Italian's last game for the Hammers ahead of a proposed switch to champions Manchester United. Finally, Jesper Blomqvist piled on the pressure on Sunderland boss Peter Reid with a 27th minute goal which proved enough to secure all three points for Everton at Goodison Park.
Filed by Shane Murray
