Blackburn beat Aston Villa 5-0 to cut Manchester United's lead at the top of the English Premiership to five points.

Alan Green reports from Ewood Park (1' 08")

With Chelsea playing on Sunday, Rovers had a chance to leap over the Londoners and stake their claim to the title and they did so in style.

Tim Sherwood and Kevin Gallacher grabbed two goals in the space of eight first half minutes to breathe new life into Rovers' Premiership challenge.

Gallacher completed a hat-trick in the second half with goals in the 54th and 66th minutes and Villa's humiliation was completed by Stuart Ripley nine minutes from time.

Return of the £15m idol

It was happy ever after for Newcastle fans with the return of the £15m idol Alan Shearer matched only by a late win.

Peter Slater reports from St James Park (55")

Newcastle thought they had put a stop to the rot with a goal from John Barnes against Bolton.

Shearer's (right) header sets up Ketsbaia's goal

But Bolton, who remain entrenched in the bottom three, fought back to equalise through Nathan Blake in the 72nd minute.

Shearer was immediately sent on to rescue the Geordies and his header down was fired home in injury time by Temur Ketsbaia to give Newcastle a 2-1 win.

Villain turned hero

Pat Murphy reports from Highfield Road (56")

There was drama a-plenty at Highfield Road where Dion Dublin, villain of the peace at Coventry after refusing to sign a £16,000-a-week contract, turned hero.

Coventry boss Gordon Strachan..furious at referee

Noel Whelan put the Sky Blues in front in the first half but Dennis Bergkamp and Nicolas Anelka scored early in the second half to put Arsene Wenger's side in front.

In the 65th minute Coventry were awarded a penalty and Dublin stepped up to score.

A minute later the Gunners were down to ten men when Patrick Vieira was sent off for his second bookable offence.

Eleven minutes from the end City's Paul Williams also took an early shower for serious foul play.

Gordon Strachan fumes ( 1' 15")

Coventry boss Gordon Strachan was absolutely furious with referee Steve Lodge after the match.

He described him as a "disgrace" and said: "My players are working so hard and they are not getting what they deserve."

Yorkshire derby

Ian Brown reports from Filbert Street (49")

Jurgen Klinsmann scored Spurs' winner at home to West Ham while fourth placed Liverpool could only draw 0-0 at Leicester.

Dave Woods reports from Elland Road (50")

Sheffield Wednesday, beaten at home by Leeds earlier in the season, gained revenge in the Yorkshire derby.

Wednesday took the lead through defender Jon Newsome early in the second half but Mark Pembridge put through his own goal to put the home side level.

Seven minutes from time Yorkshire-born Andy Booth scored to the delight of the Wednesday faithful

Forest stumble to defeat

Barnsley grabbed an invaluable three points at home to relegation rivals Crystal Palace with a first half goal from Ashley Ward.

Steve Tongue reports from Selhurst Park (49")

Finally Wimbledon and Derby played out a dour goalless draw at Selhurst Park.

The First Division's top two both stumbled. Nottingham Forest lost at Norwich while ten-man Middlesbrough were held 1-1 at home by Ipswich.

Sunderland and Charlton both made up ground on the leaders.

Peter Reid's team won 1-0 at Manchester City while Charlton came from behind to win 2-1 at Oxford.
 

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