No mercy

Chelsea, who have now hit four goals in six of their last nine league games, hold an eight-point advantage over Arsenal who can reduce that gap to five if they overcome Portsmouth at Fratton Park on Sunday.

Middlesbrough leapfrogged United into fourth, completing a satisfactory week by following up Wednesday8217;s UEFA Cup win over Partizan Belgrade by seeing off Aston Villa 3-0 at the Riverside.

England striker Jermain Defoe, back from suspension, hit his first Premier League hat-trick as Tottenham Hotspur routed Southampton 5-1 at White Hart Lane to chalk up their fourth league win in a row. Defeat left Southampton stuck in the bottom three. Manchester City inflicted a fourth successive league defeat on Bolton Wanderers, midfielder Joey Barton tapping in the only goal for a 1-0 success at the Reebok.

Birmingham City cruised to their second Premier League derby win in six days, crushing bottom side West Bromwich Albion 4-0 to leave manager Bryan Robson still seeking his first win.

Birmingham came into the game as the league8217;s lowest scorers but had no problems against a woeful Albion defence, scoring three times in the first half hour through Robbie Savage, Clinton Morrison and Emile Heskey.

Albion, who have now taken just one point in six games since Robson took charge, battled vainly after the break before conceding a late fourth when Heskey deflected in Darren Anderton8217;s free kick.

Second-placed Everton maintained their superb defensive record, but lost ground on leaders Chelsea in a stalemate at Ewood Park. However, the point was enough for Rovers to move out of the relegation zone, although they could have taken all three late on when Brett Emerton8217;s deflected shot struck the woodwork.

Reuters