Rovers stun leaders Arsenal

Arsenal were in danger of allowing Manchester United to close the gap in the Barclaycard Premiership title race as they found themselves a goal behind to Blackburn at half-time.

With the Old Trafford club winning against Aston Villa earlier today, the pressure was on the Londoners to replicate that result.

However, Blackburn struck in the 21st minute when Damien Duff found the back of the net after seeing an initial effort blocked by Gilberto Silva.

The ball broke to Tugay whose right-footed effort was kept out by Stuart Taylor. Duff pounced again and made no mistake with his second attempt.

An early goal against by David Beckham kept Manchester United’s championship hopes alive and extended their unbeaten league run to 10 games.

The England captain’s seventh strike of the season was the difference between the sides and narrowed the gap to Arsenal to two points.

Beckham had already spurned an earlier chance when he was picked out by a Ryan Giggs chip in the 12th minute before netting at the far post.

Alan Shearer moved into outright third in Newcastle’s list of all-time goalscorers, edging ahead of Hughie Gallacher by converting a penalty against Charlton.

A stunning goal from Juninho gave Middlesbrough a 2-1 lead over Leeds at Elland Road.

Mark Viduka took advantage of a dithering Ugo Ehiogu to put Leeds in front in the 24th minute.

However, the visitors were handed a route back into the game when Lucas Radebe brought down Massimo Maccarone.

The South African was booked and the Italian converted the spot-kick.

And Juninho put the visitors in front with a 25-yard strike in first-half stoppage time.

Mick McCarthy survived his first 45 minutes as Sunderland manager without seeing his side concede a goal as they held fellow relegation candidates Bolton 0-0 at the break.

Louis Saha’s 44th-minute effort gave Fulham a one-goal lead over Southampton while West Ham’s trip to Everton was goalless.