Liverpool take their chances

Liverpool found the net on their travels for the first time since an August draw with Sheffield United today and promptly added three more to put an end this season's miserable form on the road and condemn Wigan Athletic to a deflating 4-0 defeat at the JJB Stadium.

Craig Bellamy opened the scoring for the visitors when he nipped in behind Matthew Jackson to latch on to a loose defensive header and place the ball into the far top corner, well out of the reach of former Liverpool goalkeeper Chris Kirkland.

Bellamy netted his second in the 26th minute when he got behind the Wigan defence again and slipped the ball underneath Kirkland.

The Welshman then turned provider five minutes from the break when his pass found Dirk Kuyt at the back post to finish a sweeping move from the Merseysiders.

Wigan's misery was compounded on the stroke of halftime when Lee McCulloch deflected a cross into his own net.

Ireland's Kevin Doyle was again the Reading hero as they saw off the challenge of Bolton at the Madejski Stadium for their eighth win of the season.

Another Irishman Andy Reid was on the scoresheet at Brammall Lane. Reid gave Charlton a 17th minute lead but Sheffiled United refused to lie down to the bottom side.

The Blades fought back and captain Chris Morgan headed an equaliser in the 64th minute before Keith Gillespie grabbed the winner two minutes from time.

Fulham failed to build on their impressive win over Arsenal but were brought down to earth by Blackburn thanks to first half goals from Shabani Nonda and Benni McCarthy.

Portsmouth and Aston Villa shared the spoils in a 2-2 draw at Fratton Park.

Gareth Barry tucked in a 37th-minute penalty after David James brought down Gabriel Agbonlahor in the box for a half-time lead, but Matthew Taylor headed an equaliser from a Benjani Mwaruwari cross in the 52nd minute.

James then produced a stunning save to keep out a quickly-taken free-kick from Barry before the same Villa player conceded a spot-kick, handling the ball in the box to give Taylor the opportunity to stroke home a penalty.

However, Pompey's lead lasted just shy of two minutes as Juan Pablo Angel drilled in a shot which deflected into the net off Sol Campbell. Pedro Mendes was sent off in the 86th minute for a late challenge on Gavin McCann.