Dunne own goal proves costly

Soccer - Premier League Review:A goal in each half from Florent Malouda and substitute Salomon Kalou sent Chelsea five points clear at the top of the Premier League as they beat Wolves 2-0, while Richard Dunne's own goal against Sunderland proved costly for Aston Villa.

Malouda put Chelsea in control with the opening goal at Stamford Bridge, firing home after good work from Yuri Zhirkov to join Manchester City's Carlos Tevez as the league's joint leading scorer on seven goals. Kalou made it 2-0 late on, side-footing home after a one-two with Didier Drogba.

Aston Villawere left cursing their luck at Sunderlandafter losing 1-0despite having the best of the match and having two decent-looking penalty claims turned down.

Dunne sliced into his own net trying to clear Steed Malbranque's cross for the eighth own goal of his top-flight career. Earlier Stewart Downing had shot against the post for Gerard Houllier's side.

West Bromfound themselves in the dizzy heights of the top four courtesy of a 2-1win at home to Fulham.

Things started badly for the Baggies when keeper Scott Carson was credited with a freak own goal after he tipped Zoltan Gera's strike onto the post only for the ball to then rebound into the net off his back.

West Brom clawed themselves back into the match when Youssuf Mulumbu poked the ball in from close range after good work by Chris Brunt, and he was involved again as Marc-Antoine Fortune slid home to make it 2-1 before the break.

Fulham could not get back on level terms and Roberto di Matteo's side saw their tremendous start to the season continue and they ended the afternoon above both Manchester United and Arsenal in the table, for 24 hours at least.

Birminghamwere relatively untroubled at home to Blackpool, winning 2-0. Liam Ridgewell opened the scoring, reacting first to finish after Nikola Zigic headed against the bar.

The giant Serbian himself guaranteed the points, seizing onto a mistake by Charlie Adam to make it 2-0 from inside the six-yard box.

It ended honours even (1-1)in the Lancashire derby at the DW Stadium, in a match which saw Wigan'sand Ireland's James McCarthy stretchered off with a serious-looking injury following Fabrice Muamba's tackle, though there was no yellow card for the Boltonmidfielder.

Hugo Rodallega put Wigan in front in the second half but the lead did not last long as Johan Elmander seized onto Kevin Davies' knockdown to score his fifth goal in five away games and the match ended 1-1.

Earlier, the lunchtime kick-off between Tottenhamand Evertonended 1-1square after Rafael van der Vaart scored from close range to get the home side back on level terms at White Hart Lane.

Leighton Baines' stunning free-kick had put Everton in front against a Spurs side who looked be suffering a mild hangover after their midweek exertions against Inter Milan but the point was enough to send Tottenham into third spot.

Results

Premier League

Birmingham 2-0 Blackpool
Chelsea 2-0 Wolverhampton
Sunderland 1-0 Aston Villa
Tottenham 1-1 Everton 1
West Brom 2-1 Fulham
West Ham v Newcastle (5.30pm)
Wigan 1-1 Bolton

Scottish Premier League

Aberdeen 4-1 Hibernian
Hamilton 1-2 St Johnstone
Hearts 3-0 St Mirren
Kilmarnock 1-2 Inverness CT
Motherwell 2-1 Dundee Utd