Premier League: Man City’s Balotelli nets hat-trick, while Tottenham go fourth

Man City go top of the league, Tottenham jump to fourth, Blackburn bounce back, Blackpool keep their away record up to scratch and Fulham move out of the relegation zone.

West Brom 1-3 Blackburn

Blackburn bounced back from their St Stephen’s Day defeat to Stoke by taking all three points away from the Hawthorns.

Nikola Kalinic struck twice and was then sent off as Blackburn’s new manager Steve Kean recorded his first victory in charge.

Kalinic’s first goal came just two minutes in but Jerome Thomas levelled for West Brom on 17 minutes.

Rovers’ two second half goals came from headers. Kalinic with the first and Mame Diouf nodding the third and final goal home.

Tottenham 2-0 Newcastle

Tottenham have jumped to fourth in the league as they saw off Newcastle at White Hart Lane despite finishing the game with 10 men.

Aaron Lennon gave Spurs the lead after 57minutes from inside the area. Eight minutes later Harry Redknapp’s side were down to 10 men after Younes Kaboul was sent off for appearing to thrust his head at Newcastle's Cheik Tiote.

Gareth Bale made sure of the points for the home side inside the last 10 minutes when he surged down the left and fired in a trademark cracker.

Man City 4-0 Aston Villa

Mario Balotelli became the fourth Italian to score a Premier League hat-trick in Man City’s thumping of Aston Villa at Eastlands.

City go top of the league for now, as Man United could go back to the perch if they get a point against Birmingham.

Two penalties and a rebound effort were the opportunities seized upon by Balotelli,wile Joleon Lescott also got his name on the score sheet.

Stoke 0-2 Fulham

Fulham are out of the relegation zone thanks to two first half goals from defender Chris Baird.

Beating Stoke today was the Cottagers first away league win in 16 months.

Fulham had previously gone eight games without a win and had slipped into the relegation zone over Christmas.

Sunderland 0-2 Blackpool

Blackpool’s fantastic away record continued as two second half goals from DJ Campbell resulted in defeat for Sunderland.

Ian Holloway’s side have won five games away from home this season, just one short of table toppers Man City.

Sunderland spurned a glut of opportunities in this encounter and Steve Bruce will be having a few strong words with his players this evening.

West Ham 1-1 Everton

West Ham and Everton shared the spoils at Upton Park in the late afternoon kick-off.

Toffees defender Tony Hibbert put the ball into his own net as he attempted to divert Radoslav Kovac's overhead kick.

Ireland international Seamus Coleman equalised for Everton shortly before half-time with a simple tap-in.