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United level after fragile Chelsea lose at Birmingham

Lee Bowyer pounced after 17 minutes © PA Photos

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Chelsea completed a miserable seven days by suffering back-to-back Premier League defeats, losing 1-0 to Birmingham in the shock of the day at St Andrew's.

Having relieved Ray Wilkins of his assistant managerial duties ahead of the 3-0 home defeat at the hands of Sunderland last weekend, Chelsea had hoped to restore their authority at the top of the table boosted by Alex's return in defence. However, profligacy up front cost the champions dear as Lee Bowyer scored the winner for relegation-threatened Birmingham.

The goal sparked memories of Bowyer's glory days at Leeds as he displayed excellent anticipation to gamble on a Cameron Jerome flick-on, darting into a gaping hole in the Chelsea defence, which was still missing John Terry. Latching onto the ball around the penalty spot, Bowyer then lifted it past Petr Cech to rattle Carlo Ancelotti's fragile side.

In fairness to Chelsea, their answer was to lay siege to the Birmingham goal, but Didier Drogba in particular could be held accountable for two glaring misses. Both were created by Florent Malouda, who first sent the Ivorian clean through, and then found his team-mate with a wicked cross that Drogba diverted onto the bar.

Roger Johnson delivered a monumental performance for Blues, denying Ramires with a last-ditch challenge late on, and Ben Foster staked a claim for a regular spot in the England line-up with a string of saves as Chelsea were denied.

Patrice Evra opened the scoring at Old Trafford © PA Photos

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Manchester United are now level with Chelsea at the top of the table after Sir Alex Ferguson's under-strength side beat nine-man Wigan 2-0 at Old Trafford. United, who remain unbeaten this season, are only second due to an inferior goal difference.

Ferguson went into the match with Dimitar Berbatov missing from the matchday squad and Wayne Rooney only fit enough for the bench, meaning Gabriel Obertan and Federico Macheda led the United attack. Early warning signs were there too as Charles N'Zogbia attached himself to the inexperienced Rafael da Silva at right-back, out-pacing the United defence in a strong start from the visitors.

However, Patrice Evra proved an unlikely hero with a diving header on the stroke of half-time, before Wigan totally capitulated in the second period. Antolin Alcaraz and Hugo Rodallega both saw red in the space of five minutes, the former for two bookings and the latter for a dangerous challenge, leaving plenty of room for Javier Hernandez to add a second as Rooney eased himself back into action against nine men.

Liverpool are within three points of the Champions League qualifying places after a routine 3-0 victory over a desperately poor West Ham side at Anfield. Victory lifts the Reds into the top half while the Hammers remain bottom.

Robbed of Steven Gerrard due to the hamstring injury picked up on international duty, Liverpool were boosted by the return to fitness of Glen Johnson, who capped a dominant opening 20 minutes with a fine strike. Showing great composure to chest the ball down under pressure at a corner, Johnson rattled a drive under Rob Green to heap more woe on his former club.

By the half-hour mark it was 2-0 as Fernando Torres, partnered by David N'Gog up front, caused havoc in the West Ham area, forcing Danny Gabbidon to handle. With Gerrard absent, Dirk Kuyt assumed responsibility, sending Green the wrong way before singling out his captain in the crowd.

West Ham were playing without passion, without cohesion, and it was no surprise when they fell three behind by the break, Maxi Rodriguez diverting a header into the far corner. Roy Hodgson's men eased off in the second period, although Green twice had to pull off world class stops to deny Torres and Christian Poulsen, but a tougher test awaits for the Reds when they travel to Tottenham next week.

Gareth Bale started the Tottenham comeback © PA Photos

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In the day's early fixture, Tottenham showed tremendous resolve to battle back from two goals down to claim a stunning 3-2 win over north London rivals Arsenal. Victory momentarily lifted Harry Redknapp's men into fourth ahead of the afternoon fixtures.

Samir Nasri, who refused to shake hands with William Gallas before the match, drew first blood when rounding Heurelho Gomes and slotting home from a tight angle. The Gunners moved into cruise control when a rapid break involving Cesc Fabregas and Andrei Arshavin allowed Marouane Chamakh to slot home.

Spurs boss Redknapp threw on Jermain Defoe at the break and within five minutes they had secured a foothold through Gareth Bale. Tottenham were awarded a penalty on 67 minutes and Rafael van der Vaart kept his cool to score. And the comeback of comebacks was completed four minutes from time as Younes Kaboul headed home to hand Spurs a famous win at the Emirates.

Bolton moved level with Manchester City on 22 points as Kevin Nolan suffered a nightmare return to his old stomping ground with ten-man Newcastle, losing 5-1 at the Reebok Stadium. Nolan was given a man-marking job on Kevin Davies whenever Bolton looked to launch the ball forward, but he only succeeded in conceding a penalty to spark a rout for the home side.

Nolan lost his bearings as his arm connected with the ball in the 18th minute, allowing Davies to coolly slot Bolton in front. The Newcastle defence then only had themselves to blame for the second goal, failing to clear after Matt Taylor's brilliant free-kick rattled the bar, which allowed Chung-Yong Lee to score after a sweet turn.

Luke Varney scored a contender for goal of the season © PA Photos

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However, the best goal was still to arrive, and it came from the in-form Johan Elmander, who linked up with Davies inside the Newcastle box before sending a cute finish past Tim Krul. He later added a second to kill the game off following Andy Carroll's reply for Newcastle, before Davies added his second from the spot after Fabricio Coloccini had been dismissed late on for a dangerous elbow on Elmander.

Wolves remain in huge trouble at the bottom of the Premier League table after a Luke Varney wonder goal inspired Blackpool to a 2-1 victory at Bloomfield Road. Manager Ian Holloway was forced to start with substitute goalkeeper Richard Kingson following news that Matt Gilks had cracked his kneecap, but it was the Wolves goal that needed most protection.

Varney needed all of three minutes to settle the nerves of the home side, smashing a contender for goal of the season past Marcus Hahnemann. Taking a long ball on his chest down the left flank, Varney allowed the ball to bounce once before sending a 30-yard volley soaring into the top corner.

Controversy surrounded Blackpool's second as Hahnemann felt sure he had been fouled when attempting to claim a corner under pressure from Varney, but no free-kick was given as Marlon Harewood pounced to double the advantage. Kevin Doyle struck with four minutes remaining to set up a nervy finale, but Blackpool held on for victory.

In the afternoon's other fixture, Stoke beat West Brom 3-0 at the Hawthorns in a fixture that failed to produce a single shot on target in the opening 45 minutes. Stoke left with the points thanks to penalties from Matthew Etherington and Jonathan Walters, the latter of whom added a second late on.

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