Half-time round-up

Aston Villa’s bid to gain the upper hand in the race for the fourth Champions League place took a blow at Southampton after Kevin Phillips scored an equaliser on the stroke of half-time.

Villa striker Juan Pablo Angel had slotted home a 39th-minute penalty but Phillips popped up with a slick right-footed finish to level matters.

With Liverpool in action later on today, Villa could move into fourth, albeit temporarily.

French striker Youri Djorkaeff kept alive Bolton’s faint European hopes with a superb individual effort against Everton at Goodison Park.

The former Inter Milan forward held off the attentions of several defenders before producing a deft finish to set Sam Allardyce’s men on course for their fifth consecutive victory.

Middlesbrough have dominated matters against Manchester City but, despite taking a 2-0 lead through Massimo Maccarone and Szilard Nemeth, Kevin Keegan’s men got themselves back in it courtesy of Paulo Wanchope.

Maccarone broke down the left and beat England keeper David James with what appeared to be an intended cross but it gave Boro an eight-minute lead nevertheless.

Nemeth scored another 13 minutes before half-time but Wanchope netted three minutes later.

Leeds gave their fans something to cheer at Elland Road after coming from a goal behind to lead Charlton 2-1.

Republic of Ireland midfielder Matt Holland gave the visitors the lead with a stunning 30-yard goal in the 11th minute at Elland Road but the hosts responded through young defender Matthew Kilgallon.

Leeds, all but relegated prior to kick-off, handed the captain’s armband to striker Alan Smith – playing in what could be his last home game for the club - and they levelled when Kilgallon arrived at the far post to meet Stephen McPhail’s in-swinging free-kick.

Jermain Pennant then finished a slick move to put the Whites in front three minutes before the break.

Tottenham’s Jermain Defoe thumped a cracking 18th-minute opener against fellow-strugglers Blackburn at White Hart Lane.

Already-relegated Leicester stunned in-form Portsmouth by taking a 2-0 half-time lead at the Walkers Stadium.

Pompey defender Matthew Taylor put through his own goal in the sixth minute as the Foxes went in search of their third win on home soil.

And striker Paul Dickov curled a fine 27th-minute effort beyond Shaka Hislop to double his side’s advantage.

Earlier

Man Utd 1 Chelsea 1 FT