Originally Posted by SkySports

Premier League round-up

Liverpool's faltering title challenge suffered what could be a terminal blow at Middlesbrough as Chelsea left it late to defeat Wigan.


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Gareth Southgate's men snapped a 14-game winless run to climb out of the relegation places as Rafa Benitez's men totally failed to take advantage of leaders Manchester United's inactivity due to the Carling Cup final.

Chelsea needed a last-gasp header from Frank Lampard to snatch all three points against Wigan and climb above the Reds into second place.

Arsenal again failed to find the net as they were frustrated by Fulham at Emirates Stadium and the Gunners have now not scored in their last four Premier League games.

Everton are closing in on Arsenal after taking advantage of West Brom's defensive frailties to secure a 2-0 success at Goodison Park and move to within two points of Arsene Wenger's men.
Reds suffer

Liverpool travelled to the Riverside having triumphed away to Real Madrid in midweek but were undone by an impressive Middlesbrough display.

Xabi Alonso's own goal handed Boro the lead in the 32nd minute when Stewart Downing's corner from the left flew into the heart of the box and struck the Spain international's thigh before flying beyond a diving Jose Reina.

Nabil El Zhar, starting in place of the injured Fernando Torres, passed up a glorious opportunity to equalise early in the second half when he fired over the bar from close range after Steven Gerrard had cut the ball back from the by-line.

And Boro made it 2-0 just after the hour mark when Tuncay provided the finishing touch to Jeremie Aliadiere's ball into the box after he had been released by Gary O'Neil.

Dirk Kuyt then passed up another glorious opportunity to find the net for the Reds as he totally missed the ball with the goal at his mercy from close range from another Gerrard cross, with the Reds skipper later limping out of the action.

Chelsea had midfielder Lampard to thank after his late header denied stubborn Wigan a point at Stamford Bridge with Guus Hiddink's men claiming a 2-1 success.

John Terry struck a spectacular volley from the edge of the box in the 25th minute after Emmerson Boyce headed Lampard's cross away, although the ball took a slight deflection off the Latics defender as it flew beyond Chris Kirkland.

The England international was later denied by Kirkland with Michael Ballack flagged offside before Titus Bramble cleared his follow-up off the line, with the Latics defender also on hand to deny Didier Drogba after the break.

Steve Bruce's men were back on terms eight minutes from time when Olivier Kapo clipped Maynor Figueroa's superb low cross to the near post beyond Petr Cech.

With time running out Ballack flicked on a long ball into the box and Lampard looped a header over Kirkland to the delight of the Stamford Bridge faithful.

Gunners held

Arsenal's all-too familiar failing of being unable to find the back of the net was in evidence once again in their Emirates Stadium stalemate against Fulham.

The Gunners dominated for much of the match and created the better opportunities but were unable to find a way beyond Mark Schwarzer.

It was a fifth successive Premier League draw for the North London club and the fourth that has ended 0-0, further denting their hopes of climbing back into the Premier League's top four.

While the Cottagers are yet to win on their travels this season Roy Hodgson will be more than happy to take four points against Arsenal this term.

West Brom remain rooted to the foot of the Premier League table with Everton boosting their European hopes by claiming a 2-0 success at Goodison Park.

Leighton Baines swung over a free-kick from the left and three Everton players were left totally unmarked in the box with Tim Cahill rising unchallenged to head beyond a bemused Scott Carson.

Tony Mowbray's men attempted to respond and Everton required a cool goalline clearance from Phil Jagielka to stay in front just before the hour mark after Ryan Donk's back-post header looked destined for the back of the net.

Substitute Louis Saha made it 2-0 after more shoddy defending from the Baggies presented him with the ball, although the French striker produced a superb turn to create space before curling a shot beyond the diving Carson from outside the box.

Luke Moore stepped off the bench to give the West Brom attack fresh impetus and rattled the bar with a superb late strike, but the Baggies could not avoid slipping to an 11th away defeat of the season.