Premier League Betting Review - 26 March 2006

Chelsea made no mistake against Manchester City following last weekend's shock defeat at Fulham as they won comfortably at Stamford Bridge. Two goals in three first-half minutes from Didier Drogba earned the 3/10 Blues a 2-0 win and kept up their march towards retaining the Premiership.

Manchester United kept up the pressure on Chelsea with a comfortable win over Birmingham City. Punters will have ploughed into the 1/5 odds on an Old Trafford win and the Reds did not disappoint. A Maik Taylor own goal after three minutes and Ryan Giggs after 15 gave United the perfect start and Wayne Rooney added gloss seven minutes before the end.

Liverpool won the 203rd Merseyside derby but saw Steven Gerrard sent-off after just 18 minutes. The Reds, 6/10 favourites before kick-off, lead at half-time through a Phil Neville own goal and Luis Garcia doubled the advantage two minutes after the restart. Tim Cahill gave the Toffees hope on the hour but Harry Kewell ensured victory six minutes before full-time.

Blackburn Rovers continued to push for a Champions League place with a narrow 1-0 win at rock-bottom Sunderland. Rovers, likely to be the most popular "away win" choice for punters this weekend, justified their 7/10 odds after 15 minutes when Steven Reid scoring the winning goal.

Middlesbrough won a thrilling encounter against Bolton Wanderers. The Trotters took the lead through Stelios Giannakopoulos but Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink equalised minutes later. Mark Viduka finished off an incisive move before Hasselbaink claimed his second after the break to put 8/5 Boro firmly in control. Bolton hit back through Jay-Jay Okocha's penalty and then Radhi Jaidi levelled at 3-3. Stuart Parnarby scrambled in a 91st minute winner to open up a 10 point gap over the bottom three.

West Ham United came from behind to snatch victory at tasty 11/4 odds at Wigan Athletic. Lee McCulloch gave the Latics the lead on the stroke of half-time but Marlon Harewood restored parity seven minutes after the break. Nigel Reo-Coker netted a last-gasp winner for the Hammers.

Newcastle United slumped to their third consecutive league defeat as Charlton Athletic won comfortably at the Valley. A Darren Bent penalty gave the 13/10 Addicks the lead after 23 minutes but Scott Parker equalised for the Magpies on 34. Charlton were back in front two minutes later through a Lee Bowyer own goal and Jay Bothroyd added a third two minutes before the end.

Aston Villa and Fulham played out a goalless draw at Villa Park. Shrewd punters will have backed the 9/4 draw option which saw Fulham earn only their fourth point away from home all season.