Fulham, Aston Villa draw in Premier League

Nov 29, 2008 - 8:48 PM Roy Hodgson's battling Fulham side claimed a creditable 0-0 draw at fourth-place Aston Villa in their Barclays Premier League clash on Saturday.

Villa goalkeeper Brad Friedel set a new record as he made his 167th consecutive league appearance - beating David James' benchmark - but there was little to cheer at Villa Park when the action got under way in a dull first half.

Ashley Young shot wide from close range and Stiliyan Petrov headed over but the Cottagers stood firm.

Roy Keane's problems continued as his Sunderland team slipped into the bottom three after a 4-1 thrashing by Bolton at the Stadium of Light.

Djibril Cisse (12) fired the Black Cats into the lead from Steed Malbranque's incisive pass before Matt Taylor (18) looped a header past Craig Gordon to level.

Gary Cahill (21) rifled in a crisp low shot to put the Wanderers in front after the hosts failed to clear a free-kick, and a possible equalizer for Cisse was then ruled out for a foul by Kenwyne Jones, while Johan Elmander shot over after dribbling around Gordon.

The Swede then made amends in the 39th minute by adding a third from a tight angle after Danny Collins' horrible miscontrol, and scored a fourth (55) after more slack defending.

Middlesbrough and Newcastle drew 0-0 at the Riverside Stadium following a tepid north-east derby.

An Obafemi Martins shot which grazed the crossbar was the highlight of a poor first half, and the same player then saw a shot deflected inches wide after the interval before Afonso Alves also failed to hit the target when well placed.

Promoted sides Stoke and Hull drew 1-1 at a foggy Britannia Stadium.

Marlon King's fine turn and finish in first-half injury time handed Hull the lead after a poor opening half.

Substitute Michael Tonge shot just wide for the visitors before Ricardo Fuller was brought down for a penalty which he squeezed past Boaz Myhill (73).

Emmerson Boyce's 87th-minute header gave Wigan a 2-1 victory over bottom club West Brom at JJB Stadium.

Henri Camara missed an early sitter for the hosts and Emile Heskey headed wide as the Latics dominated the opening half, but the side which started the day at the bottom took the lead in the 47th minute when Ishmael Miller fired home after Titus Bramble's miscontrol.

James Morrison missed a great chance for the Baggies moments later, and they were made to pay when Camara (61) latched on to Paul Robinson's woeful back header to volley home with his back to goal.

Boyce then sent a brilliant header into the top corner to clinch a late win.