Chelsea again have outright possession of top spot in the Barclays Premier League following a 2-0 victory over Newcastle at Stamford Bridge.

“You saw his quality today – his leadership and his power. He is a fantastic young man."

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers believes the club’s arrivals from last summer are starting to prove their worth after the Reds claimed a 1-0 win at Sunderland.

Sunderland 0 Liverpool 1

Manchester City’s title hopes received a boost last night as Frank Lampard’s contract was extended until the end of the season.

Aston Villa held Sunderland to a 0-0 draw despite going down to 10 men for the third time in four games.

Sunderland 1 Everton 1

Crystal Palace 1 Sunderland 3

Southampton 8 Sunderland 0

Gus Poyet was left bemoaning the most embarrassing moment of his football career after his Sunderland side were hammered 8-0 at Southampton.

Ronald Koeman’s dream start as Southampton boss hit new heights as his side soared to their biggest league win against hapless Sunderland at St Mary’s.

Sunderland 2 West Brom 0

Wes Brown’s own goal took Everton into the Champions League places as Sunderland’s relegation fears took a turn for the worse.

Sunderland 1 West Ham 2

Newcastle United 0 Sunderland 3

Newcastle 0 Sunderland 3

Arsenal switched tack from youth to experience on deadline day, dropping their interest in young German winger Julian Draxler and turning to veteran Swedish midfielder Kim Kallstrom.

Sunderland head coach Gus Poyet has hit out at Stoke over their courtship of Lee Cattermole and Steven Fletcher on the eve of the Premier League clash between the clubs.

Republic of Ireland goalkeeper Keiren Westwood is set to miss the rest of the season after being forced to delay an operation on his shoulder because of illness.

Five Republic of Ireland players, including Kevin Doyle, Stephen Ward, Stephen Hunt, are the prospect of life in the third tier of English football today.

Brighton 2 Newcastle 0

Liverpool boss Kenny Dalglish was delighted to get his star-studded trio of attacking stars together at last in yesterday’s 6-1 FA Cup hammering of Brighton.

Whether it is what they should be judged on is open to argument but Liverpool continued their fine cup form by securing a place in the FA Cup quarter finals against Stoke with a routine victory over Brighton, partly thanks to three own goals by the Championship side.

Liverpool 6 Brighton 1

Watford 1 Tottenham 2