Ricky Sbragia and Sam Allardyce both fielded unchanged sides as Sunderland and Blackburn looked to put back-to-back wins together.

Portsmouth came back to earth from their UEFA Cup glamour tie with AC Milan to scuffle for precious Premier League points – minus both midweek goalscorers in the starting line-up against Blackburn.

HARRY REDKNAPP has had a galvanising effect on everybody at Tottenham Hotspur, from the boardroom to the tearoom, but nobody encapsulates the north London revival more completely than Aaron Lennon.

Blackburn manager Paul Ince made six changes to the side which beat Sunderland in midweek in the Carling Cup for the return league fixture.

ROBBIE FOWLER ended 10 months of frustration by helping Blackburn reach the fourth round of the Carling Cup last night.

BLACKBURN boss Paul Ince was delighted to “put to bed” all the “rubbish” concerning Roque Santa Cruz after the striker signed a new four-year contract at Ewood Park.

Everton 2 Blackburn 3

England goalkeeper David James missed his first Premier League game since joining Portsmouth at the start of last season.

Manuel Almunia’s absence for Arsenal meant Jens Lehmann was in goal against Blackburn – the side he made a huge blunder against earlier in the season to lose his place in the side.

Derby manager Paul Jewell made three changes to his side as they went in search of their second league win of the season.

Elano has been left on the bench by Sven-Goran Eriksson tonight as Manchester City looked to maintain their 100% Premier League home record by beating Blackburn at Eastlands.

Joey Barton returns for Newcastle at Ewood Park and made only his fourth start after arriving from Manchester City in the summer.

LAWRIE SANCHEZ lamented the “usual drama at the Cottage” after claiming Fulham had been denied two precious points by poor refereeing.

Robbie Savage has been named on the bench for Blackburn’s Premier League clash with Fulham today.

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez resisted the opportunity to name Peter Crouch in his starting line-up against Blackburn with the England striker left on the bench at Ewood Park today.

STEVE BRUCE fears he will be sacked as Birmingam manager should prospective new owner Carson Yeung take control of the club.

BLACKBURN ROVERS crashed out of the UEFA Cup in the first round after giving themselves too much to do at Ewood Park.

Blackburn manager Mark Hughes makes the one expected change to his side for the visit to Ewood Park of Portsmouth today.

SVEN-Goran Eriksson insists Manchester City can still make an impact in the Premier League despite a second successive 1-0 defeat.

DAVID BENTLEY improved his chances of an England call-up with a superb volley that put Blackburn on the road to the first round of the UEFA Cup.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger gave a debut to Brazilian-born striker Eduardo at Ewood Park.

BLACKBURN secured a place in the Intertoto Cup next season while Reading, who finished above them in the table, saw their dreams of Europe dashed.

All the starting teams for the final round of matches in the 2006/7 Barclays Premiership have been confirmed.

All of today's starting teams for the 3pm games in the Premiership.

BLACKBURN chalked up their first win in five games to retain their dreams of a UEFA Cup place for a second successive year.

England midfielder Joe Cole returns to the Chelsea starting line-up for the first time since November for today's FA Cup semi-final at Old Trafford.

Aston Villa manager Martin O’Neill made four changes to the side which drew against Everton at Ewood Park.

MANCHESTER CITY manager Stuart Pearce remained defiant after his side exited the FA Cup yesterday.

Blackburn’s FA Cup super sub Benni McCarthy was restored to his side’s starting line-up for the Lancashire derby against Bolton at a wet and windswept Reebok Stadium today.

Blackburn 1 Arsenal 0

Arsenal defender Emmanuel Eboue is promoted to the Gunners’ starting line-up for tonight’s FA Cup fifth round replay at Blackburn despite facing an FA charge of violent conduct.

BLACKBURN boss Mark Hughes hailed the manner in which his side hit back from their midweek UEFA Cup heartbreak to boost their chance of securing a quick return to European competition.

Blackburn boss Mark Hughes appeared to have Wednesday night’s Barclays Premiership clash with Arsenal on his mind as he made four changes for today’s Ewood Park clash with Portsmouth.

The following are the teams for today's Premiership matches.

GOALS from Didier Drogba, Frank Lampard and substitute Salomon Kalou kept Chelsea in touch with leaders Manchester United at the top of the Barclays Premiership.

Chelsea recalled Michael Ballack and Claude Makelele to their line-up for the visit of Blackburn Rovers.

PRACTICE invariably makes perfect and a week spent working with a new ball reaped rich rewards for Blackburn Rovers yesterday.

Blackburn boss Mark Hughes will hope star striker Benni McCarthy shows no ill effects from the gruelling win over Middlesbrough as he prepares his squad to head to Wigan tomorrow.

Brad Friedel will continue in goal for Blackburn against Middlesbrough tomorrow despite being troubled by a dead leg.

Blackburn will have top scorer Benni McCarthy available following suspension for the Barclays Premiership match against Liverpool at Ewood Park on St Stephen's Day.

Liverpool brought in Danish defender Daniel Agger and midfielder Luis Garcia in place of Sami Hyypia and Mark Gonzalez from the side that won 3-0 at Charlton last weekend.

Blackburn manager Mark Hughes has made six changes to the side that lost to Newcastle for tonight’s UEFA Cup game at Ewood Park.

MOROCCAN defender Talal El Karkouri crashed home a dramatic stoppage-time winner as Charlton celebrated 14 years back at The Valley by climbing off the foot of the Barclays Premiership and giving new manager Les Reed his first win.

ASTON VILLA climbed back into the top six of the Premiership after an inspired performance by Gabriel Agbonlahor helped them to overcome below-par Blackburn at Villa Park.