Potters frustrate Spurs in the first half

Niko Kranjcar hit the woodwork as Tottenham wasted several chances to score in the first half of their Barclays Premier League clash with Stoke.

A win would take Spurs level on points with leaders Manchester United, but Harry Redknapp’s men were still goalless with the Potters at the interval.

Kranjcar found the post after 27 minutes with his powerful right-footed strike from distance while Stoke goalkeeper Steve Simonsen, a late replacement for Thomas Sorensen, also tipped a Peter Crouch header over the bar to add to Spurs’ frustrations.

Aston Villa’s European hopes were dealt a blow in today’s early kick-off as Sylvan Ebanks-Blake scored his first goal of the season to rescue a well-deserved 1-1 draw for Wolves.

Gabriel Agbonlahor scored for the sixth time in eight games to put Villa ahead in the midlands derby with 10 minutes remaining.

But three minutes later Ebanks-Blake levelled from the penalty spot after Villa midfielder Steve Sidwell had brought down Michael Kightly.

“It is always a relief to score – I love scoring goals,” Ebanks-Blake told Sky Sports afterwards.

“It’s great to get off the mark, but more importantly the team played well - and a point was the least we deserved.

“They are good defenders, but I thought we won our fair share and battled. We gave them some problems.”

Birmingham were on course to climb above Wolves in the table as they held a 1-0 half-time lead over Sunderland.

Black Cats boss Steve Boss was returning to St Andrew’s for the first time since his acrimonious departure in 2007.

And it was the home crowd who were celebrating after 37 minutes with Sebastian Larsson’s free-kick steered into the net by an unmarked Liam Ridgewell.

There were no goals at the interval in the match between Hull and Portsmouth, while Burnley and Wigan were also level at 1-1.

Burnley were in front after just four minutes through Steven Fletcher, whose shot smashed against the underside of the crossbar before bouncing over the line.

Hugo Rodallega levelled seven minutes later in bizarre circumstances.

A cross into the box from Mario Melchiot brought Brian Jensen out of his goal, but the Burnley keeper unexpectedly collapsed in a heap in the box allowing Rodallega an easy tap-in.

Jensen limped off soon after with what appeared to be an ankle injury.