Blackburn get a lift - round up

Blackburn hauled themselves off the foot of the Barclays Premiership – for a few hours at least – with a vital 2-0 win against Fulham at Craven Cottage.

Mark Hughes’ side took the lead after 10 minutes through Paul Gallagher and then survived a scare when Tomasz Radzinski missed a great chance to equalise in the lunchtime clash.

Zat Knight handled in the area with 14 minutes remaining, was sent off for a second bookable offence, and Paul Dickov secured the victory with a confident penalty.

Leaders Chelsea took an early lead against Charlton at The Valley and were 1-0 up at half-time.

Eidur Gudjohnsen sent Damien Duff through after four minutes and the winger finished after past Dean Kiely.

Ricardo Carvalho nearly scored an own goal but his header rebounded to safety after hitting the post.

New West Brom boss Bryan Robson successfully frustrated his old club Manchester United at The Hawthorns.

Russell Hoult barely had a save to make in the opening stages as the Baggies looked to climb out of relegation trouble.

Zoltan Gera forced Roy Carroll to save with a long-range drive – but it remained goalless at half-time.

Birmingham’s relegation fears were eased by Clinton Morrison’s opener against Norwich at the St Andrews.

Emile Heskey hit the bar from Darren Anderton’s ninth-minute cross and Morrison headed in from close range – and the Blues went in to the break 1-0 up.

The Canaries could not build on their first win of the season last week as Morrison and Heskey formed an impressive attacking force.

Managerless Portsmouth took the lead against Bolton at the Reebok Stadium - and were 1-0 up against the Trotters at half-time.

Executive director Velimir Zajec was in charge for the first time after Harry Redknapp’s resignation this week.

El-Hadji Diouf forced Kasey Keller into a save and Stelios Giannakopoulos also had a chance – but Arjan De Zeeuw headed the opening goal of the game for the visitors just before half-time.

Struggling Southampton could have taken a first-half lead against Crystal Palace but it remained goalless at the break.

Steve Wigley was looking for his second win as head coach at the club and Fabrice Fernandes wasted the Saints’ best opportunity.

Andrew Johnson was playing as a lone striker for Palace and was subdued by centre-backs Andreas Jakobsson and Darren Kenton.