Premiership: Half-time review

Premiership leaders Chelsea look set to increase their lead at the top as they led 1-0 at half-time against second-placed Tottenham at White Hart Lane.

The reigning champions forged ahead with six minutes to go to the interval thanks to a header from left-back Asier del Horno, his first goal for his new club after signing this summer from Athletic Bilbao.

Spurs were up against it after they were reduced to 10 men in the 25th minute.

Egyptian striker Mido was the man to go, shown a straight red card by referee Rob Styles who adjudged he had used an arm in an aerial challenge on Del Horno.

Manchester City, third in the table after an excellent start under Stuart Pearce, could not find a first-half breakthrough despite plenty of pressure against Portsmouth at Eastlands, while the scoresheet was also blank at Upton Park between West Ham and Bolton.

Milan Baros marked his Aston Villa debut with a goal against Blackburn. The Czech striker, signed earlier in the week from Liverpool, raced past Andy Todd on to Kevin Phillips’ pass and gave Brad Friedel no chance after 10 minutes at Villa Park.

Wigan led 1-0 in the battle of the bottom two against Sunderland at the JJB Stadium. The goal came from a first-minute Jason Roberts penalty after he had been fouled in the box by Gary Breen.

Birmingham earned their first win after a poor start to the season by beating midlands rivals West Brom 3-2 in an early kick-off at The Hawthorns.

Emile Heskey marked his return from injury to head the visitors in front in the 10th minute, but Geoff Horsfield then equalised against his old club two minutes later.

Blues restored their lead when Jiri Jarosik headed in from Jermaine Pennant’s free-kick (25) and Heskey gave them a two-goal cushion seven minutes later.

Birmingham tried to hold on to what they had in the second period, and Albion could only score once, through Horsfield, as Steve Bruce’s side held on.

Everton were holding Fulham goalless after the first 45 minutes at Craven Cottage.