Bolton's keeper Jussi Jaaskelainen reacts during their English Premier League soccer match at the JJB Stadium, Bolton, England, yesterday. - AP

SATURDAY MARCH 1

BIRMINGHAM 4 TOTTENHAM 1

GOALS:-BIRMINGHAM: FORSSELL 7th, 59th, 81st; LARSSON 55th. TOTTENHAM: JENAS 90th.

A Mikael Forssell hat-trick and a fine free kick from Sebastian Larsson secured a vital three points for relegation-threatened Birmingham. Forssell headed home from close range to open the scoring with Larsson curling a free kick past Spurs keeper Paul Robinson shortly after the break. Forssell side-footed in for his second goal, completing his hat-trick when he was through on goal against Robinson. Jermaine Jenas slotted home for Spurs when the ball deflected to him late on.

DERBY 0 SUNDERLAND 0

Sunderland failed to register their first away win of the season thanks to a contentious offside decision which ruled out Michael Chopra's finish. Andy Reid crossed low from the left for Chopra to side-foot past Derby keeper Roy Carroll on 38 minutes but referee Mike Riley disallowed his effort. Moments later, Derby captain Alan Stubbs nearly back-heeled into his own goal. Derby battled hard with Kenny Miller lively but are still searching for their first win under Paul Jewell.

FULHAM 0 MANCHESTER UNITED 3

GOALS:-UNITED: HARGREAVES 15th; PARK 44th; DAVIES 72nd OG.

Manchester United cruised past Fulham and closed to within one point of Premier League leaders Arsenal. United rested Cristiano Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney, but Owen Hargreaves set them on their way to victory with a 20-yard free kick after 15 minutes. They missed a host of chances before Ji-Sung Park headed in Paul Scholes' cross a minute before the interval. Fulham's misery was complete when Simon Davies turned John O'Shea's cross into his own net 18 minutes from time.

MANCHESTER CITY 0 WIGAN 0

Wigan earned an important point in their fight to avoid relegation against a Manchester City side whose season is in danger of fizzling out. Benjani wasted City's two best chances as he was denied by Chris Kirkland's block, then turned Darius Vassell's cross wide early in the second half. City struggled to find any rhythm and Wigan finished the stronger side. Wilson Palacios should have won the game for Wigan late on, but City keeper Joe Hart made a crucial block.

MIDDLESBROUGH 0 READING 1

GOAL:-READING: HARPER 90th.

James Harper's injury-time goal gave Reading victory and ended their run of eight straight Premier League defeats. Middlesbrough had the majority of the chances but Harper scored with an unchallenged strike from six yards out after a pass from Stephen Hunt. Boro's Tuncay Sanli and Stewart Downing were a threat, but new signing Afonso Alves forced the best save of the first half from a dipping free kick. Downing was booked late on for trying to win a penalty for the visitors.

NEWCASTLE 0 BLACKBURN 1

GOAL:-BLACKBURN: DERBYSHIRE 90th.

A late Matt Derbyshire strike denied Newcastle a deserved draw and piled more misery on manager Kevin Keegan. Michael Owen almost put Newcastle ahead in the first half but pushed his shot wide after rounding Brad Friedel. The keeper denied Owen twice more after the break tipping the striker's header over and then pushing away his drive. Rovers were dangerous on the break but Andre Ooijers, volley was saved and Roque Santa Cruz was off target before Derbyshire ran clear to fire home.