Liverpool won 4-1 at home to Portsmouth in the Premier League on Saturday but Manchester City stay fourth after a 1-1 draw at Aston Villa.Sven-Goran Eriksson's City side went ahead after 10 minutes at Villa Park as Rolando Bianchi slid in to steer home Martin Petrov's teasing cross for his fourth goal of the campaign.
But their joy was short-lived as John Carew scuffed the ball past Joe Hart after a swashbuckling run had taken him past Richard Dunne and Micah Richards on the edge of the penalty area.
But Liverpool are now just a point behind City after an electric start helped them on their way to a resounding win over Pompey at Anfield.
Rafael Benitez's side broke the deadlock after 13 minutes as Yossi Benayoun volleyed in before Sylvain Distin's unfortunate own goal just three minutes later doubled their advantage.
Pompey gave themselves a lifeline through Benjani Mwaruwari's ninth goal of the campaign just after the break, but any hopes of salvaging a draw were ended when Fernando Torres added to his already burgeoning reputation with a classy double.
Scott Parker scored an 90th-minute winner to give West Ham all three points with a 2-1 victory over Middlesbrough at the Riverside.
David Wheater's second goal of the season had given Boro the lead, but Dean Ashton's controlled half volley from 25 yards drew the Hammers level before Parker popped up at the death to put them in the top half of the table.
Bolton's renaissance under Gary Megson continued as they brushed aside Birmingham 3-0 at the Reebok Stadium, moving up to 14th in the process.
El-Hadji Diouf put the Trotters ahead with a calm finish before Nicolas Anelka took full advantage of a short throw-in by Johan Djourou to net a second before adding a third in stoppage time.
Stephen Hunt scored a controversial stoppage-time winner as Reading edged past Sunderland 2-1 at the Madejski Stadium.
Ivar Ingimarsson pounced on Craig Gordon's fumble to put the Royals ahead, but Michael Chopra had looked to have secured a point with a penalty 10 minutes from full-time.
However, there was a late twist as Republic of Ireland international Hunt's angled effort was deemed to have crossed the line before Craig Gordon parried it away. Steve Coppell's side are now up to 12th, while Sunderland are 18th.
Clint Dempsey saved a point for Fulham against Wigan in the Cottagers' first game following the dismissal of Lawrie Sanchez.
Marcus Bent had put Latics ahead with a rising half-volley, but Fulham bounced back to claim a 1-1 draw through Dempsey's lashed effort, keeping them just outside the drop zone.
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