James Beattie scored in the 13th minute on Saturday, and Everton won their fourth straight English Premier League match by defeating Arsenal 1-0.
Beattie scored his seventh goal of the season when he chased Tim Cahill’s ball, slipped between Sol Campbell and Philippe Senderos, and stabbed a shot behind Arsenal goalkeeper Jens Lehmann.
The loss was Arsenal’s seventh in the league this year, six of which have come in away matches. Arsenal seldom threatened against Everton and, in second-half injury time, Francesc Fabregas was sent off on a red card.
The loss left Arsenal in fifth place with 37 points — 24 behind league-leading Chelsea. Everton improved to 29 points, good for the middle of the standings.
Also, Neil Mellor scored in second-half injury time to give Wigan a 3-2 victory at Middlesbrough. ‘Boro drew level after trailing 2-0, only to let a valuable point slip away.
The victory moved Wigan up to 37 points in sixth place — even with Arsenal but trailing on goal difference. ‘Boro slipped close to relegation with 22 points, above 18th-place Birmingham with 19.
Also on Saturday, it was: Birmingham City 5, Portsmouth 0; Bolton 2, Manchester City 0; Newcastle 0, Blackburn 1; Tottenham 0, Aston Villa; and West Brom 0, Sunderland 1.
On Sunday, Chelsea host struggling Charlton and Liverpool play at Manchester United in one of the biggest matches of the season.
On Monday, West Ham host Fulham.
Chelsea lead with 61 points followed by Man United with 45 and Liverpool with 44. Tottenham hold fourth with 41.
It was a day to savour for Everton manager David Moyes, who was battered by criticism earlier in the season when his team were struggling.
”The players are coming into the sort of form we believed they had,” Moyes said. ”And confidence is a big thing. We are on a run now, and it’s much easier to be a manager when you are winning than when you are losing.”
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger said he was beaten by an old-English style of play.
”We lost a game where in the end it was all down to long balls — and us not finding our chances.” Wenger said. ”We tried very hard to respond in the second half, but Everton was strong.”
Steve Bruce, a coach under fire at Birmingham City, got some relief in the 5-0 victory over Portsmouth with goals from five different players: Jiri Jarosik, Jermaine Pennant, Matthew Upson, Mikael Forssell and David Dunn.
Bolton kept their solid grip on seventh place with the win over Manchester City. City looked nothing like the club that beat Manchester United 3-1 last weekend.
Jared Borgetti of Mexico scored in the 37th minute and Kevin Nolan added the clincher in the 41st.
Manager Graeme Souness will be feeling the pressure at Newcastle after a 1-0 loss to Blackburn at St James’ Park. Shefki Kuqi scored the winner in the 75th. Alan Shearer failed to break Jackie Milburn’s Newcastle goal-scoring record. Shearer matched the record of 200 a fortnight ago.
Newcastle are without several starters, including injured striker Michael Owen.
”You have to get the best out of your players, and I feel I’m getting that,” Souness said. ”Right now we’re missing key players, but the players I am working with are giving me everything.”
Shearer also used the injuries to explain the recent losses.
Newcastle have 26 points in 22 games.
”It is clear for everyone to see the confidence is not high and we’re missing some big-name players who would make a difference,” Shearer said. ”But they are not going to come back in a hurry.”
In Villa’s draw at Tottenham, Spurs had the man advantage after the 83rd minute when Gareth Barry was sent off on a red card. But Villa’s defence stayed solid and stymied Tottenham despite the home club having most of the late possession.
Anthony le Tallec scored for Sunderland in the 72nd, lifting the Black Cats to a 1-0 win at West Brom. It was only Sunderland’s second win of the season and improved the team to nine points from 22 games.
West Brom have 22 points from 23 games. — Sapa-AP