Liverpool moved to within a point of leaders Manchester United with a hard-earned 2-0 win at Fulham in the English premier league today.
Frenchman Nicolas Anelka, who scored Liverpool's equaliser in the Merseyside derby against Everton last week, pounced again after 13 minutes at Craven Cottage before substitute Jari Litmanen made the game safe with a second in injury-time.
United, top of the table with 57 points, visit Derby County tomorrow, while Newcastle United and Arsenal, in third and fourth place respectively, meet at St James' Park later today.
Jason Euell scored twice, including an 89th-minute winner, to give Charlton Athletic a 2-1 triumph over London rivals Chelsea at The Valley.
The result leaves fifth-placed Chelsea 10 points adrift of the fourth and final Champions League qualification place.
Andy Cole, hero of Blackburn Rovers' League Cup final victory over Tottenham Hotspur last week, was sent off after 19 minutes of a fiery Lancashire derby against Bolton Wanderers that finished 1-1.
Bolton, fourth from bottom, took the lead through Rod Wallace's goal just before halftime, but third-from-bottom Blackburn, four points behind Bolton, hit back with a wonderful equaliser from Matt Jansen on 68 minutes.
Brett Ormerod's first goal for Southampton gave Gordon Strachan's side a 3-1 win at relegation-threatened Ipswich Town, and bottom club Leicester City's woes continued in a 1-0 defeat at Middlesbrough courtesy of a spectacular own goal from Frank Sinclair.
Les Ferdinand scored Spurs' winner in a 2-1 home victory against Sunderland, after Cameroon international Patrick Mboma had scored his first goal for Peter Reid's side.
England hopeful Darius Vassell scored a last-minute winner to help Aston Villa to a 2-1 victory over West Ham United at Villa Park. -Reuters