A controversial penalty by Steven Gerrard salvaged a draw for Liverpool as their faltering season continued against Birmingham at Anfield.

Gerrard scored from the spot to make it 2-2 after David Ngog had appeared to dive over a Lee Carsley tackle.

Ngog had earlier put the Reds ahead when he smashed in a far-post volley but Christian Benitez levelled when he nodded in a well-worked set piece.

Cameron Jerome’s 30-yard strike shocked the Reds before Gerrard’s equaliser.

Birmingham were angered by referee Peter Walton’s penalty decision as Carsley did not seem to have made any contact with Ngog.

But despite a half-fit Gerrard, who had only come on because of an injury to Albert Riera, slotting in from 12 yards the result will only heap further pressure on Reds manager Rafael Benitez.

It was a game Liverpool were expected to win to quell the unrest at Anfield but, instead, leaves the Reds flailing in seventh in the Premier League.

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Liverpool’s defensive solidity has been their strength during Benitez’s reign but the foundations he has laid have been on rocky ground this season and again undermined their play.

The home side had taken a patient and calm approach to the match before gradually raising the tempo and taking the lead.

Glen Johnson was having plenty of joy down the right flank and, after weaving between two defenders, he pulled the ball back for Ngog, whose initial shot was saved by Joe Hart.

Hart scampered across his goal to fend away Dirk Kuyt’s follow-up but the Blues keeper had no chance when Riera crossed to the far post for Ngog to smash a left-foot volley into the roof of the net.

The Reds were in control, only to let their weakness in defence allow the visitors back into a game they rarely looked like making an impact on.

Former Everton midfielder James McFadden swung a Blues free-kick to the far post and, after being headed on by Roger Johnson and Scott Dann, Christian Benitez nodded in from close range.

The goal gave Birmingham encouragement and the visitors had an extra air of belief about them as they repelled some concerted Liverpool pressure with the home side looking to re-establish their grip on the game.

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Hart tipped over a 25-yard strike from Javier Mascherano before the Blues defence cleared a tamely-struck Lucas Leiva side-footed shot off the line.

Liverpool brought Gerrard on when Riera went off with a hamstring problem but their unfit captain could do little as the visitors took the lead in spectacular fashion.

Jerome controlled Dann’s headed ball forward, fended off the irritation of Mascherano and unleashed a thunderous shot which dipped over keeper Reina.

The Reds piled on the pressure in response and it almost paid off, only for Gerrard to head a Johnson cross against the outside of the post from eight yards.

Birmingham defended in numbers with an admirable bravery which saw the particularly impressive centre-backs Dann and Roger Johnson flinging their bodies at crosses and shots to keep the home side at bay.

However, they conceded an equaliser in controversial circumstances as Gerrard, who looked a constant threat even when nursing his groin injury, sent Hart the wrong way from the spot.

The Anfield crowd were now staunchly behind their team and Ngog side-footed wide after Gerrard powered in a cross to the near post in an exciting finale.

However, a winner eluded the Reds and Benitez is still without a league victory over Birmingham in seven attempts.

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John Terry grabbed the only goal of the game to extend Chelsea’s Premier League lead to five points and deal a big blow to Manchester United’s title chances.

The Blues skipper met Frank Lampard’s free-kick late on to earn his side a 10th straight home win.

But a makeshift United side will feel aggrieved after a fine display, with Darren Fletcher in impressive form.

Wayne Rooney twice went close from range, but a lack of cutting edge cost the reigning champions dear in the end.

And with Sir Alex Ferguson’s side now five points behind their London rivals, United must hope Chelsea’s current form falls away if they are to win a fourth successive title.

They can at least be comforted by a brave performance, though, especially considering the absence of centre-half pairing Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic, as well as striker Dimitar Berbatov.

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That meant Jonny Evans and Wes Brown were again paired in defence – and up against the in-form frontline of Didier Drogba and Nicolas Anelka, many expected them to have their work cut out at the Bridge.

The pair held up well, though, aided enormously by the return to league action of Fletcher following a recent ankle problem. The Scot, so often a pivotal player for them in the big games in the past, typified the visitors’ relentless and disciplined approach.

Matching up against Chelsea’s diamond formation, with Rooney floating and Antonio Valencia pushed up against left back Ashley Cole, United stifled their opponents’ rhythm and just had the better of a keenly fought first half.

Twice Chelsea got the better of close early refereeing decisions, firstly when Anderson set Rooney through on goal only for the striker to be harshly ruled offside and then when Terry escaped punishment for an apparent tug on Valencia’s shirt in the box.

Ryan Giggs and Michael Carrick also had efforts from range to keep home keeper Petr Cech interested.

However, a lack of a real killer pass or shot in the final third often had lone striker Rooney cutting a forlorn figure and it was Chelsea who forged the more clear-cut chances, particularly through Anelka.

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The Frenchman had an early sighter with a near post shot that Edwin van der Sar held comfortably, and he forced a far more impressive save from the Dutchman just after the half hour with a left-foot curler that the keeper had to beat away on the stretch.

In a half of few chances, it was by far the closest either side had come to a breakthrough, and the pattern of play was almost identical in the second.

The irrepressible Fletcher forged the first opening of the half when his fierce drive was well blocked by Carvalho, while at the other end Van der Sar comfortably saved from Lampard’s low left-footed drive.

While it remained 0-0, Ferguson – mindful of his side’s failure to get anything out of four of their last five away matches against a ‘big four’ team – was by far the more comfortable manager and it was Blues boss Carlo Ancelotti who blinked first from the sidelines, bringing on Joe Cole for the ineffective Deco.

But it was Rooney at the other end who twice came closest to breaking the deadlock, his first effort a drive inches wide from the edge of the area and the second a curler that had to be tipped round the post by Cech.

However, Chelsea under Ancelotti have been imperious at home and all United’s play counted for nothing when Terry rose highest to meet Lampard’s pinpoint free-kick and put the Londoners into a precious lead.

To compound the visitors’ deflation, United had argued that Fletcher, in conceding the crucial free-kick, had won the ball from Ashley Cole and that Drogba was in an offside position as the ball flew in – but their protests fell on deaf ears.

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All of a sudden United were the side displaying an air of desperation, and even as Valencia drove wide and substitute Gabriel Obertan forced a good block late in the game, there was a lack of belief among the visitors’ late rally.

As it was, Chelsea’s record of not having conceded a home goal in the league since the opening day of the season rarely looked in trouble late on and the final whistle prompted scenes of jubilation among a home faithful with a firm eye on regaining a Premier League title they have not won since 2006.

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Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink helped ease the pressure on Hull boss Phil Brown with a stoppage-time goal to secure a crucial victory over Stoke.

The hosts looked set for an eighth league defeat when Matthew Etherington drove Stoke ahead from an acute angle.

But former Potters star Seyi Olofinjana equalised with a curling effort before Stoke’s Abdoulaye Faye saw red.

Vennegoor of Hesselink then slotted home at the death after Thomas Sorensen failed to hold Jimmy Bullard’s shot.

The result lifted Hull out of the relegation zone – a point clear of both West Ham and Wolves – and sees Stoke remain ninth.

Visiting manager Tony Pulis will rue his side’s failure to hold onto their lead and Stoke have now thrown away 11 points from winning positions this season – but Hull were good value for their only their fourth league win of 2009.

Whether it is enough to keep Brown in his job remains to be seen but the 50-year-old will feel hard done by if he is sacked after such a spirited performance by his players.

Hull went into the match without a goal in their previous three games but, spurred on noisily by a near sell-out home crowd, they made a confident and committed start.

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Apart from a scare inside the first minute, when referee Mike Dean ignored Stoke appeals after Etherington’s cross was blocked by the arm of Bernard Mendy, the home side looked fairly comfortable.

Bullard, making his full debut, went close with a fizzing 30-yard drive and Jozy Altidore dragged wide from the edge of the box.

Stoke seemed content to soak up Hull pressure and rely on counter-attacks, but both Etherington and Dean Whitehead skewed shots horribly off target from promising positions.

As more chances came and went for Hull – Glenn Whelan got back to deny Richard Garcia with a fine challenge before Garcia headed straight at Sorensen from Stephen Hunt’s cross – there was a feeling of inevitability about Stoke’s opener.

Hull had committed unnecessary numbers forward and were holding a worryingly high a line at the back when Mendy inexplicably missed a Ryan Shawcross punt upfield, allowing Ethrington to race in from the left and lash a powerful near-post finish past Matt Duke.

The goal came against the run of play and, to their credit, Hull continued to press forward, dominate possession and take the game to Stoke.

Altidore headed wide from a Garcia centre and then, having been played in by Bullard, opted to square the ball to nobody instead of shooting from a central position 12 yards out.

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Desperate to see his side convert their dominance into goals, Brown replaced the ineffective Garcia with Nicky Barmby shortly after half-time and Hull immediately began playing with a greater sense of urgency and belief.

They were, however, fortunate to survive when Anthony Gardner poked a low Etherington cross towards his own goal and the ball trickled inches wide off of Duke’s elbow.

But Hull were otherwise in the ascendancy and deservedly levelled matters through Olofinjana, who collected possession from Hunt, turned past two Stoke players, opened his body and unleashed a curling strike that left Sorensen clutching at thin air.

Despite the qualiser, it felt for a time as though Stoke were the more likely to go on and get a winner and Shawcross came round the back to head Whelan’s free-kick against the bar.

But Faye’s dismissal – shown his second yellow card for a reckless challenge on Barmby – prompted one final Hull rally and their reward was forthcoming after Bullard stepped inside and shot fiercely.

Sorensen dived to block but failed to divert the ball out of harm’s way and it fell straight into the path of Vennegoor of Hesselink, who made no mistake with a straightforward finish.

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The visitors were poor for long periods but took the lead when Louis Saha drilled home Tim Cahill’s lay-off.

Dan Gosling doubled the advantage after seeing his first shot saved by Robert Green but a hapless own goal from Tony Hibbert brought West Ham back into it.

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Zavon Hines had numerous chances to snatch an equaliser for the hosts but Everton clung on for all three points.

The game will not live long in the memory for most neutrals but for David Moyes it may just mark an important shift in his side’s fortunes.

The visitors suffered a miserable October that saw them totally outplayed by Benfica, crash out of the Carling Cup and not win at all in the league.

Saha had missed the defeat to Benfica with a calf injury but returned to notch his ninth goal of the campaign – an impressive feat in such an under-performing side.

West Ham desperately missed the injured Carlton Cole up front, with his young replacement Hines suffering something of a reality check after the euphoria that surrounded his last-gasp winner against Aston Villa in midweek – the Hammers’ first victory in the league since the opening day.

The 20-year-old had looked nervous in the early stages, dithering badly on two occasions after being sent free through the inside-left channel.

Guillermo Franco was unlucky to see a glancing effort drift wide from a driven Julien Faubert cross, while Scott Parker bundled his way through and tested Tim Howard.

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But it was obvious that both teams were struggling for form, as a series of long balls and niggling fouls added up to a scrappy opening period.

Parker controlled proceedings impressively from central midfield but him aside, the standard in the first half was indicative of two teams in such a rut.

Everton needed a spark from somewhere to force their way into the game, and one was soon provided by a familiar source.

Cahill picked up a loose ball on the edge of the West Ham area and laid back to Saha, who drilled low and powerfully into the bottom corner.

It gave the visitors a scarcely deserved lead, with an upbeat Upton Park crowd suddenly stunned into silence.

The Hammers at least upped the intensity of their play after the break although Luis Jimenez failed to control after being set free by Faubert.

Everton, meanwhile, were equally struggling to create anything of note at the other end, and their efforts were not helped when Saha was forced off with an apparent recurrence of his calf strain.

The game finally burst into the life midway through the second half when Gosling increased Everton’s lead.

Yakubu – on for Saha – slipped the ball through to the youngster who saw his first effort well saved by Green.

But the West Ham keeper, who was playing in his 100th consecutive league game, was unable to keep out the follow-up.

If anything, the second goal reinvigorated the hosts, who burst forward with much more purpose and reduced the deficit within 85 seconds.

Alessandro Diamanti fed Junior Stanislas who chipped the advancing Tim Howard. Hibbert appeared to have the ball covered, but in attempting to clear only managed to slice dismally into his own net.

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Hines had two superb chances to level soon after but dragged his shot wide having been sent clear by Parker, and again following a mix-up in the Everton defence.

And the Toffees had their hearts in their mouths once more in the dying moments when Parker, again the creator, teased the ball into the six yard box.

Franco arrived at pace but slipped at the crucial moment – leaving the West Ham fans, and manager, totally exasperated.

Zola claimed his side had turned a corner after the late win against Villa on Wednesday, but on this evidence the Italian may have to think again.

West Ham manager Gianfranco Zola:
“It’s tough for me and for the players. The guys gave everything until the end but we need to sort out the little problems because they’re costing us a lot.

“It’s not the first time we’ve been a goal down late on. We just need to make sure we’re not chasing the game all the time.

“I think we should have had at least a draw but it didn’t happen. We’re just going to have to work even harder now. We know it’s a difficult season and we will work until the end.”

Everton manager David Moyes:
“We could have done better but the one thing we do at Everton is know how to win. It might not be the best way but we know how to do it.

“We didn’t start well and West Ham were on top. But when Louis (Saha) gets chances he puts them away. It was important for him because he’s had a calf injury.

“When we went 2-0 up you could have said it was a perfect away performance but not in the last 30 minutes. We needed every hand to the pump to get through it because West Ham put us under a lot of pressure.

“We know we can play a lot better than we’ve been doing. We’ve had some injury problems but we’ve had to get the job done with the players available and thankfully, we did.”

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Wigan and Fulham remained locked together in mid-table after Sunday’s draw in front of the lowest Premier League crowd of the season.

Only 16,172 were present to see Erik Nevland hit a post after 10 minutes.

Wigan went in front two minutes later as Emerson Boyce shot home from six yards but a Clint Dempsey penalty made it 1-1 at half-time.

There were further chances at either end but Mark Schwarzer and Chris Kirkland both produced fine saves.

The two sides were both determined to play a passing game and they each carved out decent chances.

But a lack of clinical finishing hampered them and illustrated why they went into the game in 11th and 12th respectively, with Fulham one place above their hosts.

The hosts enjoyed the upper hand for much of the afternoon and will be the unhappier with the result as the two closely-matched rivals fought out their fourth consecutive draw at Wigan.

Referee Mark Clattenburg was replaced at short notice by Phil Dowd – no explanation was given for the swap – and when the whistle blew it was Wigan who enjoyed the early pressure.

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Fulham have only won once on the road in the Premier League this season, way back on the opening day, and they were content to set up their two banks of four and invite Wigan to try and play their way through.

The hosts tried to be patient but struggled to create any chances and it was Fulham who nearly took the lead against the run of play.

Bobby Zamora turned near the edge of the area and floated a delightful pass over the hosts’ defence.

Nevland, who was sent off four minutes after coming on in the 2-1 Europa League defeat against Roma on Thursday and was only playing because Diomansy Kamara was injured in the same game, looped a header over Kirkland and was desperately unlucky to see it come back off the inside of the post.

Two of the last three meetings between the two teams in Wigan had ended 0-0 but any chance of a repeat was banished as the hosts went straight back down the other end and took the lead.

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Fulham keeper Schwarzer was equal to the task when Mohamed Diame tried his luck with a 20-yarder but he could do nothing a minute later.

Paul Scharner headed a deep free-kick back across the six-yard box and Boyce teed the ball up with his first touch and shot home with the second to give the Latics the lead.

Two minutes later, Charles N’Zogbia cut in from the right and tried his luck with a curling left-footer from 25 yards but Schwarzer pulled off a fine save – one of a number he was to go on and produce – as he just managed to tip the ball on to the bar.

Fulham were struggling to make much of an impression, despite the promptings of the deep-lying Jonathan Greening, with Diame bossing the game for the hosts.

Wigan saw Hugo Rodallega twice threaten and Scharner head over as they continued to enjoy the upper hand but despite offering little in attack, Fulham levelled before the break.

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Wigan defender Bramble had already nearly played in Damien Duff, who had shaken off an Achilles injury to play, and when he felled Dempsey as he tried to turn in the box Dowd had no doubt it was a penalty.

The American made no mistake to claim his third goal in as many games.

The visitors could have taken the lead 10 minutes into the second half but Kirkland saved Dempsey’s free-kick and was quickly to his feet to keep out Greening’s close-range follow-up.

Wigan then regained the upper hand and Schwarzer was forced into fine saves from Scharner and Hendry Thomas, who thundered a header from a corner straight at the keeper.

N’Zogbia was next to try his luck for Wigan, testing Schwarzer after an elusive 30 yard run, but the Australian saved low to his left.

As the final whistle approached Fulham enjoyed some promising moments and Duff and Dempsey rifled in shots, but the final word went to Wigan.

N’Zogbia curled in a free-kick but Schwarzer was more than equal to the task as the two sides fought out the latest in their series of draws at the renamed DW Stadium.

Wigan boss Roberto Martinez:
“Mohamed Diame ’s only 22 and he’s still adapting to the British game, but he’s someone who can go as high as he wants to go.

“I’m happy with the performance, but not the point.

“The difference between one point and three was Mark Schwarzer – his display was outstanding.”

Fulham boss Roy Hodgson:
“The club have been keen to organise a contract for me to stay longer, and I am not averse to the idea [of signing a one-year extension].

“I was very pleased with the point, especially after the excitement and pressure of the Liverpool game and the grave disappointment in Rome in midweek.

“It was more a 3-3 game than a 1-1, and Mark Schwarzer had to bring off some spectacular saves from their long-range shooting.”

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Aston Villa returned to winning ways in style after romping past Bolton in a bruising encounter at Villa Park.

Ashley Young opened the scoring from close range early on before Gabriel Agbonlahor slammed home a second.

Johan Elmander tapped in to reduce the deficit but a fine individual goal from John Carew made the game safe.

James Milner then slotted home the rebound after missing a penalty and Carlos Cuellar headed his first Villa goal as the hosts totally dominated.

Villa fans had not seen their team win since their 2-1 home victory against Chelsea in mid-October and will be grateful to man-of-the-match Carew for inspiring a dominant display.

The giant Norwegian striker bullied the Bolton defence all afternoon, and had a hand in everything good from Villa in the final third.

The defeat means Bolton are still without a clean sheet in the Premier League this season and ensures Gary Megson still has a lot of work ahead to unravel his side’s serious defensive frailties.

The visitors had fielded two ex-Villa players in Gary Cahill and Zat Knight at the heart of their defence, with Cahill publically stating before the game that he intended to prove Martin O’Neill wrong for selling him.

But his intentions were not realised, as the sheer power of Carew combined with the pace of Young and Milner caused the visiting defence all sorts of problems throughout the game.

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The warning signs were there for all to see in the early stages as Villa started the game in ominous fashion – Cuellar forcing Jussi Jaaskelainen into a smart save after only five minutes.

But the visitors failed to learn from their early lapses as Villa moved ahead.

Carew out-muscled Cahill and powered a header at goal and although Jaaskelainen saved well low to his left he could only parry the ball into the path of the advancing Young who smashed high into the net.

Megson’s side did force their way back into the game – in no small part thanks to tireless efforts from Fabrice Muamba in midfield and Kevin Davies in attack.

Indeed, the Bolton boss deserved credit for his bold decision to replace midfielder Tamir Cohen with striker Elmander midway through the first half – reverting to a more-attacking 4-4-2 formation.

But Cahill’s chances of impressing his former boss were all but ended after a monumental blunder on 43 minutes.

The centre-half attempted to shepherd the ball out of play but reckoned without the might of Carew, who duly brushed aside his opponent and crossed for Agbonlahor to drive through the legs of Jaaskelainen.

Villa were well worth their two-goal lead, but let themselves down by conceding just before the break as Bolton valiantly hit back.

A missed header from Cuellar allowed Cahill to shoot on goal. The ball deflected off a diving Richard Dunne and against the post, allowing Elmander to gleefully tap home.

It was hardly a goal that epitomised the adventurous style of play Megson had asked for before the match, but the Bolton manager will not have cared a jot.

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But it was the power of surely the strongest player on the pitch – Carew – that took the game beyond the visitors.

Milner, impressive again on the right, slipped the ball into the feet of the Norwegian who had his back to goal and the close attentions of Knight to contend with.

But the defender was quickly left on his backside as Carew showed amazing strength in turning, before brushing aside the flagging Cahill and drilling home.

That opened the floodgates for the hosts, who quickly moved further ahead.

Davies was penalised for a push on Carew in the box, and although Milner’s poor spot-kick was saved by Jaaskelainen and the first rebound woefully struck against the post by Steve Sidwell, Milner redeemed himself to finally slot home.

The game was already well won by the time Cuellar back-headed his first Villa goal after another teasing cross from Milner, leaving the hapless Bolton defence, and an increasingly under-pressure Megson, with much to ponder.

Aston Villa manager Martin O’Neill:
“It’s very pleasing. It’s great to come to Villa Park.

“The crowd are right behind us and we’ve started to win here which is very important.

“We’ve had a tough run on the road since we last won here against Chelsea. The defeat against West Ham was very difficult to take.

“The players were ready, we got out of the blocks quickly and I’m really pleased with the performance.”

Bolton manager Gary Megson:
“They haven’t had to work hard for the goals they’ve got. It’s not acceptable and nowhere near good enough from our players.

“It shouldn’t happen. You have to accept that squads like Villa might pass the ball better. But you still have to match them for desire.

“We’ve just had a long talk in the dressing room about the desire. People can’t expect to be playing like they are.

“There’s certainly going to have to be some changes as some players are simply not on their game.”

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Jason Roberts scored two as Blackburn came from behind to claim a crucial victory which keeps Portsmouth bottom of the Premier League.

Jamie O’Hara provided the highlight of a dour first half when he lashed home from 30 yards to put Portsmouth ahead.

Blackburn were level shortly after the break as half-time substitute Roberts poked in after Ryan Nelsen’s knockdown.

Nelsen headed the hosts in front from David Dunn’s corner and Roberts turned in a third from Benni McCarthy’s cross.

Roberts and McCarthy were introduced by Blackburn boss Sam Allardyce at the interval and there can be little doubt that their introduction turned the game on its head.

The win was Blackburn’s first in three league matches and it moves them up to 13th, yet for long periods it seemed as though they would be plunging further towards the relegation zone.

Portsmouth, who stay rooted to the foot of the table, had looked on course for their third successive victory in all competitions and fourth match without defeat.

But their defence crumbled in the second half and once Roberts levelled matters on 53 minutes, they looked resigned to the inevitable.

With both teams struggling at the wrong end of the table a frenetic start should have been expected.

But the lack of quality on display was all too evident and that rendered goalscoring chances few and far between early on.

More often than not that ball was being pumped aerially and, even when it was kept on the ground, countless passes went astray.

Blackburn’s most threatening route to goal appeared to be the long throw of Morten Gamst Pedersen, while Portsmouth’s preferred option was

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hopeful strikes from long range.

Fortunately for the visitors, and the game, it was one such effort which broke the deadlock.

O’Hara collected Aruna Dinadane’s pass in acres of space and skidded a drive into Paul Robinson’s bottom left-hand corner.

Robinson may feel he could have done better and it was not the first time in recent weeks the England hopeful has been beaten from distance.

The home fans were quick to voice their disapproval and although Blackburn began to push for an equaliser, Portsmouth comfortably repelled everything thrown their way and looked threatening on the counter-attack.

Allardyce responded to his team’s inept first-half display by replacing the ineffective Pedersen and El-Hadji Diouf with Roberts and McCarthy.

Suddenly the Blackburn supporters were re-energised and the players responded by laying siege to the Portsmouth goal.

They were back on level terms when Nelsen cushioned Dunn’s corner down for Roberts to spin Frederic Piquionne and nudge his finish past Portsmouth goalkeeper David James.

The visitors threatened sporadically – O’Hara going close with a clever curling effort – but Blackburn were firmly in the ascendancy.

Now full of confidence and determination, they began to flood forward in search of a second goal and it duly arrived when Nelsen met another Dunn corner with a thumping header.

There were question marks over referee Andre Marriner’s decision to award a corner, but there was no excuse for Portsmouth’s slack marking.

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And any hope Pompey had of snatching a point evaporated when the superb Dunn fed McCarthy on the left and, after the South African fizzed in a precise low centre, Roberts got ahead of Mark Wilson to finish with a side-foot at the front post.

Blackburn manager Sam Allardyce:
“The first 45 minutes was well below out best and we haven’t seen that at home this season. I can forgive them at the end because we’ve won the game.

“The quality we were looking for in the first half we got in the second. The substitutions have paid dividends and it’s the quality of our three goals today that has made the difference.

“It was the most crucial game for us this season because of the position we and Portsmouth are in and with the international break coming up.

“Even at 2-1 anything could have happened. The third goal killed them off and I was delighted.

Portsmouth manager Paul Hart:
“If you don’t defend set pieces against Blackburn you are really in trouble, but we had defended them magnificently in the first half and played well.

“We were in control and they had put us in no real trouble. I don’t think we’ve been undone by any great genius, we’ve been done on set pieces.

“We’ve made a lot of progress. I think the problems we had in the summer were well documented.

“This is a setback but we’re used to picking ourselves up and we’ll do it again.”

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Manchester City were held to a fifth consecutive Premier League draw as Burnley picked up their first away point of the season.

Graham Alexander put Burnley ahead from the penalty spot before Steven Fletcher made it 2-0 from a Chris Eagles cross.

City hit back either side of the break, Shaun Wright-Phillips driving home before Kolo Toure levelled.

Craig Bellamy put City ahead, but substitute Kevin McDonald struck late on to earn Burnley a dramatic point.

The result ends a sequence of five successive Premier League away defeats for Burnley, whose refusal to be bowed despite relinquishing a two-goal lead underlined their growing ability to withstand the rigours of Premier League combat.

But the afternoon brought another blow for City, whose failure to claim a single victory from their last five Premier League outings sees them displaced from the top four by Tottenham, who beat Sunderland 2-0.

City manager Mark Hughes will not relish the prospect of explaining the club’s recent inadequacies to club owner Sheikh Mansour when he takes his side to Abu Dhabi for next week’s friendly against the United Arab Emirates national team.

Yet the afternoon began auspiciously enough for City, who subjected the visitors to a stern early examination.

Between the intelligent midfield prompting of Stephen Ireland and the promising interplay of Bellamy and Emmanuel Adebayor, all the initial evidence suggested that Burnley were in for a torrid time.

But Owen Coyle’s men weathered the storm and served notice of their own lurking menace when Robbie Blake prodded wide from an Alexander free-kick.

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Even so, there was scant indication of the high-scoring drama to follow until the 19th minute, when referee Stuart Attwell awarded a questionable penalty against Joleon Lescott, who instinctively protected his face as City old boy Tyrone Mears drove in a cross from point-blank range.

Alexander slammed home the spot-kick, and City had barely regrouped before they found themselves two down.

A Blake free-kick found Andre Bikey on the edge of the six-yard box, and although the Cameroonian’s header was beaten away by Shay Given, the City defence was still in disarray when Blake fed Eagles.

Cutting in from the right, the former Manchester United man delivered a perfectly-weighted ball for Fletcher, who side-footed home from close range.

As Claret hearts dared to dream of claiming a celebrated nouveau-riche scalp, City poured forward in search of a reply.

They were almost rewarded when Adebayor set up Bellamy, whose shot fizzed across the face of goal after a crucial touch from Brian Jensen.

But with the interval approaching, Wright-Phillips cut in from the right flank to send a deflected shot beyond the despairing grasp of Jensen.

Sensing a way back, City went for the jugular after the break, Carlos Tevez and Ireland both going close before Toure marked his return from injury with the first Premier League goal of his fledgling Eastlands career.

Racing on to a Gareth Barry free-kick, Lescott redirected the ball into Toure’s path, presenting the Ivorian with an unmissable opportunity.

Burnley were feeling the squeeze, and three minutes later they fell behind for the first time in the match.

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Ireland released Wright-Phillips down the right, and the diminutive winger centred for Bellamy to sweep in his fifth Premier League goal of the campaign.

Burnley clung on grimly, repelling efforts from Tevez and Adebayor before substitute David Nugent headed off the line to prevent a Clarke Carlisle own goal.

It was backs to the wall stuff for Burnley, but there was one final dramatic twist to come.

With three minutes left Fletcher headed Nugent’s flighted ball across goal to McDonald, and the Scotsman – on as a replacement for Bikey – scored the equaliser from five yards.

It was a joyous conclusion for Coyle’s side.

But when Hughes remarked a couple of months back that people would look back at this period of City’s history with incredulity, drawing against Aston Villa, Wigan, Fulham, Birmingham and now Burnley was probably not what he had in mind.

City manager Mark Hughes:

“We certainly don’t expect to concede three at home, and we need to address that.

“It is frustrating and disappointing because we got ourselves into a winning position.

“We have to learn to see games out because we have drawn two games at home from winning positions.

“Ideally we would have preferred maximum points, but there are lessons to be learned and we need to recognise areas where we need to improve.”

Burnley boss Owen Coyle:

“We are on a learning curve and if we had been an experienced Premier League team we would have seen it off.

“There is an unbelievable spirit in our dressing room.

“We are the smallest town to be in the Premier League, but we are determined to give this a real fight.

“Getting into the Premier League was an unbelievable achievement, but staying in it would exceed that by some distance.”

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Sunderland were left to rue a host of missed chances as Tottenham returned to winning ways with a victory that moved them back into the top four.

Robbie Keane put Spurs ahead when he bundled in Peter Crouch’s knockdown and Tom Huddlestone wrapped up victory with a fierce 20-yarder on 70 minutes.

But, goals aside, Sunderland dominated, with Andy Reid striking the post and Heurelho Gomes making crucial saves.

The most vital came from Darren Bent’s penalty after his foul on the striker.

After Premier League defeats by Stoke and rivals Arsenal, the three points were most welcome for a Tottenham side with ambitions of securing a top-four place.

But on another day the Londoners could have been put to the sword by a vibrant Sunderland side, who will wonder how they failed to get anything out of a match they controlled for long periods.

Few will feel the pain more than Bent, whose return to Tottenham – a club at which he spent two years, so often on the sidelines – dominated much of the pre-match talk.

The 25-year-old could barely have hoped to have come into the game on better form having bagged eight goals in 11 appearances this season, but his memories of White Hart Lane will hardly have been enhanced by a miserable afternoon.

First he had to watch as Keane, one of the main reasons he missed out on first-team football at Spurs at the back end of last season, grabbed the opener.

Benoit Assou-Ekotto had a big hand in the goal, his pinpoint cross nodded down expertly by Crouch and Keane bundled home from close range at the second attempt.

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Thereafter, though, Sunderland almost completely dominated possession and the chances – with Reid in particularly fine form in the centre of midfield.

At first, the visitors’ creation and inventiveness was spoiled by a lack of cutting edge up front – not helped by the absence through suspension of Kenwyne Jones – but soon Spurs were hanging on through a combination of good fortune and desperate defending.

Referee Kevin Friend handed the hosts their first slice of fortune when he waved away Sunderland’s penalty appeals when Bent went down under Gomes’s challenge – replays suggested the striker got to the ball milliseconds before the Brazilian – and Reid then rattled the post with a beautiful dipping volley from 35 yards.

Moments later Vedran Corluka’s back-header fell far too short and Gomes had to be at his best to deny the on-rushing Kieran Richardson inside the box.

Tottenham had completely lost their way, but their biggest let-off came just after the break.

Bent was, almost inevitably, at the heart of it. The striker, with England coach Fabio Capello watching from the stands, this time earned the penalty when he went over Gomes’s challenge, but then fluffed a tame spot-kick that was kept out well by the home keeper.

To compound Sunderland’s misery, Gomes escaped with just a yellow card for the foul, though he may point to the fact Bent was going away from goal and had gone down somewhat theatrically to earn the penalty in the first place.

Barely believing their good fortune, Spurs finally broke out of their slumber and only a sensational Phil Bardsley block kept out Huddlestone’s goal-bound drive with keeper Craig Gordon lying injured inside the area.

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The defender could do little about the midfielder’s goal, though, Jermain Defoe holding up the ball well and then laying in Huddlestone, whose 20-yard drive rocketed in off the bar.

It was a goal that more than flattered Tottenham, and the expression of Black Cats manager Steve Bruce on the sidelines told the story of a man who must be wondering what he has to do to emerge from the capital with a win after 18 successive fruitless visits.

In a scruffy finale, Spurs substitute Niko Krancjar saw a shot deflected past the post, while Gomes produced yet another fine save after Michael Turner got his head on Reid’s cross at the other end.

But in the end Sunderland’s failure to finish off all their good work proved pivotal and Tottenham move above Manchester City courtesy of the three points.

Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp:
“We got away with it a bit today. We couldn’t get going and Sunderland looked very, very good.

“Our keeper was fantastic and we’ve clawed out a result – sometimes football works like that. A couple of weeks ago we battered Stoke and lost.

“As for their penalty – Gomes says he’s tried to get out of the way of the player and got kicked in the chest. I haven’t seen it yet but, even if it was a penalty, I don’t think he should’ve got a red card – Bent was going away from goal and sometimes we’re too quick to send players off.

“I’d honestly say that even if it was my player who’d got brought down.”

Sunderland manager Steve Bruce:
“Sometimes in football you have a day like today – since the beach ball incident at Liverpool we’ve run out of luck and we’ve been out of luck again today.

“The best opportunities and possession were ours, but we’ve not taken them and come away with nothing.

“The turning point today was the second-half penalty incident. Darren Bent was through on goal, it’s a goal-scoring opportunity, and by the letter of the law their keeper should be sent off.

“Instead it’s just a yellow card and he’s had the chance to save the penalty. If we’re playing 10 men who knows? Still, I’m delighted with the way we played – we completely bossed the game – that’s football sometimes.”

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Arsenal moved into second place in the Premier League after dismantling Wolves with another fine attacking display.

The Gunners were a touch fortunate with their opener as Ronald Zubar turned a Cesc Fabregas corner into his own goal.

And Eduardo’s chip went in off Jody Craddock’s head to make it 2-0 before Robin van Persie’s exquisite touch set up Fabregas to score a classy third.

Andrey Arshavin struck with a low shot from the edge of the area before Craddock headed in a late consolation.

The result means Arsenal leapfrog Manchester United, who play leaders Chelsea on Sunday, and it also leaves Wolves in the bottom three.

For Arsenal the signs are growing that they can make a real challenge for the title this season, but Wolves are set to face a battle to stay in the top flight.

Wolves’ biggest problem is their lack of a goal threat as the first 15 minutes of this match demonstrated.

Playing a direct brand of football and hustling Arsenal into errors, the hosts looked to gain an advantage as they racked up the set-pieces.

But Kevin Doyle and Sylvan Ebanks-Blake missed good chances with headers from corners, while Christophe Berra misdirected his header from a free-kick.

The hosts’ start might have given boss Mick McCarthy hope that he could mastermind only his second victory over Arsenal – and Wolves’ first since 1979.

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But 20 minutes into the game, Arsenal served warning they were about to step through the gears as an interchange between Abou Diaby and Arshavin almost opened up Wolves.

Diaby was forced off injured shortly after and was replaced by Alex Song, who had been rested with Aaron Ramsey drafted in.

Yet Arsenal’s misfortune soon turned on its head when Fabregas’ corner came off Zubar’s thigh and went into his own goal.

It served to settle Arsenal, and have the opposite effect on Wolves.

Ramsey headed straight at Wayne Hennessey, and then the Welshman over-hit a pass that would have played in Eduardo as the visitors took control.

Wolves were opened up again as they committed far too many men forward, and at the end of a rapid counter-attack Eduardo’s shot clipped Craddock to leave Hennessey stranded as the ball went over his head.

With McCarthy’s men still reeling, Arsenal carved out a superb third, when Bacary Sagna’s cross was brilliantly laid off by Van Persie for Fabregas to slot home.

Almost inevitably it led to a subdued period after the break as Wolves looked to regroup, while Arsenal stroked the ball around with little urgency.

Then an injection of pace from Arshavin saw him test Hennessey with a stinging shot.

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And from the resultant corner, the Russian rifled in after Hennessey had punched the cross away.

Eduardo almost added a fifth goal but was denied by Hennessey who did well to smother the striker’s low effort.

More fluid approach play carved out another chance for Arsenal as Van Persie pulled the ball back for Fabregas but the Spaniard blazed over.

Instead it was Wolves who were to score the next goal, as Craddock thumped in a header from a corner.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger:
“We had so many chances and they had been under pressure for 10 to 15 minutes before the opening goal.

“I felt we controlled the game. Overall we could have scored many more. On every counter attack we looked dangerous.

“The most important factor is we play for each other as we do. We have to focus on our performance and continue to develop our style of play.

“We were out of it (the title race) last year after we lost five games in 14.

“Two years ago, though, we were close to winning it, people forget that. We will keep our humility and play our game.”

Wolves manager Mick McCarthy:
“Our season won’t be judged by games against Arsenal. We have Birmingham coming up and that is the type of game we have to win.

“Hull, West Ham and Portsmouth are the teams in and around us and matches with them will be important.

“We have been ticking along but were well beaten in the end. We were outstanding for 30 minutes and took Arsenal on but mistakes have cost us.

“But I know the crowd appreciate the hard work the team put in and the way they tried to play.”

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