Fulham and Bolton Wanderers boosted their hopes of survival with crucial wins in the English Premiership on Saturday, while another relegation-threatened side, Birmingham City, dented Everton's hopes of claiming the last Champions League berth. ( dpa )
Goals from Brian McBride and Eric Nevland gave Fulham a 2-0 win at fellow strugglers Reading - their first away from home since September 2006 - while a tap-in from Kevin Davies was enough to give Bolton a 1-0 win over West Ham United.
With four games to go, Fulham are still second-from-bottom, but they now have 27 points, while Bolton have 29, two points behind Birmingham City, who drew 1-1 at home with Everton.
Joleon Lescott put Everton ahead on 78 minutes but a brilliant free kick from Mauro Zarate (82) gave Birmingham a vital point and put them just one point behind Reading.
Aston Villa moved to within a point of sixth-placed Portsmouth with a crushing 6-0 win at already-relegated Derby County. Portsmouth can restore their advantage by beating Newcastle United in the day's late game.
Sunderland are not quite safe yet after they lost 2-1 at home to Manchester City, leaving them stuck on 36 points.
Tottenham Hotspur shared a 1-1 draw with Middlesbrough in the other match.