England round-up: Newcastle joy

Newcastle United FC came from behind to beat Leeds United AFC 3-1 at home and take over at the top of the FA Premiership on Saturday.

Fine performance
England midfield player Kieron Dyer crowned a fine Newcastle performance with their second goal on the hour and laid on the third for Craig Bellamy three minutes from time - both strikes giving England goalkeeper Nigel Martyn no chance.

Fastest goal of the season
Alan Smith put Leeds in front after only 29 seconds with the fastest Premiership goal of the season but Leeds defender Michael Duberry headed an own goal two minutes before the interval to level the score. In a fierce contest, Leeds defender Danny Mills was sent off 20 minutes from the end for kicking Bellamy in the shins, one of three red cards brandished in eight top-flight games.

Two more dismissals
Derby County FC's French defender François Grenet was dismissed during the first half of Aston Villa FC's 2-1 home win, while Charlton Athletic FC had Scott Parker sent off in their 4-1 defeat at Blackburn Rovers FC.

Blomqvist on target
Darius Vassell opened the scoring at Villa Park stadium after 12 minutes with a neat finish only for Darryl Powell to pull Derby level. Villa wasted no time in making their advantage count following Grenet’s dismissal, as leading scorer Juan Pablo Ángel nodded them back in front on 26 minutes. Andy Cole marked his home debut with a goal on the stroke of half-time as Blackburn thumped ten-man Charlton 4-1 at Ewood Park, while Jesper Blomqvist's goal on 27 minutes proved enough to sink Sunderland AFC at Everton FC.

Ipswich revival continues
Ipswich Town FC continued their revival with their fourth win in five games to move within a point of climbing out of the bottom three after they beat Tottenham Hotspur FC 2-1 at Portman Road. John McGreal scored the winning goal after Gustavo Poyet (58) had cancelled out Marcus Bent’s 12th-minute opener.

Bolton fight back
Bolton Wanderers FC twice battled back to earn a precious point against Chelsea FC. Eidur Gudjonsson netted against his former club to put the visitors ahead eight minutes into the second half, but the advantage was short-lived as Michael Ricketts levelled with his 14th goal of the season on 56 minutes. Substitute Mikael Forssell (65) gave Chelsea the lead again only for Kevin Nolan to pop up with eleven minutes left to ensure a hard-earned share of the spoils for the home side.

Di Canio on target
Middlesbrough FC are now just a point above the relegation zone after going down 2-1 at Fulham FC, despite taking a ninth-minute lead at Craven Cottage stadium through Colin Cooper. French strikers Louis Saha and Steve Marlet were on target for the London club. A Paolo di Canio strike was enough for West Ham United FC, another capital side, to pile on the misery for Leicester City FC, the Premiership’s bottom club.

Contenders in action
On Sunday, both Manchester United FC, who are away to Southampton FC, and Arsenal FC, who entertain Liverpool FC, can join Newcastle on 42 points at the top if they win. They have 39 points apiece with Leeds on 41, while Liverpool are fifth on 38.