Weekend Premier League Round-Up: Berbatov sends United top

Premier League / Maxliu / 18 January 2009 / Leave a Comment

United top with last minute header, last gasp Lampard saves Scolari, Blackburn out of bottom three as revenge is sweet for Big Sam...

Manchester United touched [6.4] as they left it late against Bolton Wanderers at the Reebok Stadium. The Premier League champions created multiple chances but had to wait until the 90th minute for Dimitar Berbatov to score the goal which sends them top of the table for the first time this season.

United, who have now registered a record ten consecutive Premier League clean sheets, are [1.71] to win the title.

Aston Villa remain serious contenders at the top of the table as they came from behind to win 1-2 against Sunderland. Gareth Barry struck the decisive goal from the penalty spot after Villa traded at [9.8]. It wasn't all smiles for Martin O'Neill though - Ashely Young's sending off, matched [5.4], for a two-footed lunge means Villa will be without the winger for three matches.

The relegation fight remains as tight as ever after comprehensive wins for West Brom and Blackburn. The Baggies were matched at [2.52] on their way to an impressive 3-0 victory over Middlesborough which sees Gareth Southgate's men slip into the bottom three and their relegation price shorten to [4.1].

Blackburn climbed out of the relegation zone on goal difference as they thumped Newcastle 3-0 at Ewood Park. The home side were matched at [2.68] and 3-0 touched [46.0] in the correct score market.

The talk around Eastlands Stadium this week may have been about attacking options but Mark Hughes will be delighted with the way Manchester City defended their 1-0 lead against Wigan today. City were backed at [2.68] in a contest which saw Wigan's Wilson Palacios make possibly his last appearance for the Latics against the club he may join before the end of the transfer window.

On Sunday, West Ham traded at [3.0] as they rose to eighth place in the table after a 3-1 win against Fulham at Upton Park. Fulham, who had drawn their previous four away fixtures 0-0, were suprisingly flimsy at the back and the 3-1 was matched at a [29.0] in the correct score market. Over 3.5 goals reached a high of [5.4].

The draw was backed at [4.4] as winless runs for Tottenham and Portsmouth continued. David Nugent was a [21.0] first goalscorer as he struck his first Premier League goal to give Pompey a second-half lead. But, 10 minutes later, Luka Modric set up Jermain Defoe to score the equaliser against his old club.

Spurs can now be backed at [8.0] in the relegation market while Portsmouth are at [4.6].