Liverpool let it slip

Liverpool FC missed a golden chance to close the gap on the Premiership's fourth-placed side Everton FC ahead of the Merseyside derby when they drew a blank at home against Blackburn Rovers FC at Anfield.

Blackburn vigour
Despite late pressure in a game of few chances, Rafael Benítez's side could not break down Blackburn, playing with vigour having reached the FA Cup semi-finals at the weekend. The draw helped lift the visitors further from the relegation zone and means Everton can move ten points clear of their city rivals if they win at Anfield for the first time since the 1999/00 season on Sunday.

Thomas terrific
In the evening's other Premiership encounter, it took just four minutes for Charlton Athletic FC to break the deadlock against visitors Tottenham Hotspur FC at The Valley. Jerome Thomas, formerly of Tottenham's north London rivals Arsenal FC, scored after four minutes, collecting the ball from Paul Konchesky and curling the ball into the top corner of Paul Robinson's net from 20 metres.

Murphy magic
Tottenham, without an away win in the Premiership this year, had four players booked as they searched for an equaliser, but even the introduction of Jermain Defoe as a third forward on the hour failed to lift the visitors, and Danny Murphy's precise free-kick five minutes from time wrapped up a 2-0 home win for Alan Curbishley's side.