Little Pea helps Man United go four points clear at the top, a Downing and Young inspired Villa batter Blackburn to give themselves some breathing space, Everton climb into the top half of the table, Sturridge keeps on scoring and Big Mick’s boys jump clear of the drop zone. Here’s the notes from yesterday’s five games:

Alan Pardew was all set to field the same line-up for the fourth game on the trot but a thigh injury to Joey Barton in the warm-up meant Ryan Taylor took his place in midfield instead. Kevin Nolan needed just thirteen minutes to find the net against his former club, but a straight red card for Taylor handed the impetus to the visitors. Newcastle showed their competitive streak under Alan Pardew, though, and, by holding out for a draw, have lost just once in their last nine league games.

Ivan Klasnic’s recent goalscoring heroics were not enough to keep his place in the Bolton starting XI, as both he and Chung-Yong Lee dropped to the bench to allow Johan Elmander and Daniel Sturridge to return to the Trotters first-team. The returning pair linked up for Bolton’s equalizer, with Elmander’s assist meaning Sturridge (another successful Spot the Differential pick by Big Dunc this week) has now scored in his last four league games. Elmander and Sturridge shared 3 Bonus Points between them, with the latter continuing to prove an inspired January loan signing by Owen Coyle, in light of Elmander and Kevin Davies’ continued goal drought.

Louis Saha recovered from a hamstring injury to take his place in Everton’s starting line-up but it was Jermaine Beckford who grabbed the goals against Sunderland and give David Moyes’ side a much-needed league win. The ex-Leeds man was also awarded the 3 Bonus Points, returning 13 for the gameweek. Unfortunately for Everton, he was forced off before the end with a groin problem and Moyes admitted after the game he needs to be careful with his forwards, particularly due to the great goalscoring form they are both in; Saha has six goals in his last five league games, Beckford has four.

Tim Cahill was dropped to the bench, as he’s still not 100% since returning from Asian Cup duties, and Mikel Arteta -who bagged an assist for Beckford’s second- is starting to look more like his old self ahead of Everton’s upcoming kind run of games. The FA Cup win at Chelsea also looks to have boosted Everton defensively- this was their second clean sheet since gameweek 10, as they moved into the top half of the table for the first time this season. As Mark mentioned earlier this week, Everton’s double gameweek 29 will be cancelled if their FA Cup tie with Reading is taken to a replay. Providing Moyes’ men win the cup tie this upcoming Tuesday evening, though, they (and Birmingham) will have two league games next week.

Steve Bruce made three changes to the Sunderland side that lost 2-1 at home to Spurs last time round, but it wasn’t enough to stop the Black Cats falling to their fourth league defeat on the trot. Simon Mignolet replaced Craig Gordon between the sticks for his first start since gameweek 17 and Ahmed Elmohamady also earned a recall, but failed to inspire the team. Having previously been a great shout for clean sheets, Bruce’s side have now conceded in each of their last six games and with (ars, LIV, mcy) up next, don’t look likely to stop the rot anytime soon, though their fixtures clear up significantly from gameweek 32 onwards.

Gerard Houllier made a couple of changes as Aston Villa hosted Blackburn. Robert Pires replaced the suspended Jean Makoun and Marc Albrighton was preferred to Gabby Agbonlahor on the wing. With James Collins and Carlos Cuellar both out injured, Ciaran Clark showed his adaptability, moving into central defence, as Nathan Baker slotted in at left-back after a three game ban.

It was all about the Villa midfield pair of Stewart Downing and Ashley Young, though, who grabbed three goals, two assists and 5 Bonus Points between them, as the visitors were thrashed 4-1. Houllier was full of praise for stand-in captain Young, calling him an inspiring leader as he ran riot against Steve Kean’s side. FFScout favourite Kyle Walker also got in amongst the Bonus Points, picking up 1 for another commanding display from right-back.

Blackburn suffered a dire afternoon at Villa Park and can take no positives from their display. Missing Chris Samba in the heart of defence, they had Paul Robinson (with six saves) to thank for keeping the scoreline semi-respectable. A red card for Ryan Nelsen near the end of the match means the New Zealander will serve a one-match ban away to Fulham next week. They sit just four points off the drop zone now and are in poor form, with just one point from their last four games.

Roberto Martinez re-installed the likes of Charles N’Zogbia and Hugo Rodallega to Wigan’s first XI, following the FA Cup defeat at home to Bolton last week. Try as they could, the Latics were unable to find their way past a defiant Edwin Van der Saar in the Man United goal and can count themselves unlucky not to find the net at least once. Wigan face a testing set of upcoming fixtures (mcy, BIR, TOT, che) and with those around them starting to pick up points, need to start producing before they are left behind in the battle for survival.

Sir Alex Ferguson sprung a big surprise by starting Javier Hernandez up front, as Dimitar Berbatov dropped to the bench. The young Mexican vindicated his manager’s decision by scoring twice and picking up 3 Bonus Points for his display. John O’Shea kept his place at right-back at Rafael’s expense as Chris Smalling continued alongside the ever-impressive Nemanja Vidic.

Nani, the runaway favourite in our gameweek 28 Captain’s Poll, was unlucky not to grab a goal or two and had to make do with a single assist for his efforts. Wayne Rooney continued his good form with one goal, one assist and two Bonus Points, though was at the centre of controversy, following an alleged elbowing incident. It seems unlikely he will be disciplined, however, as according to Roberto Martinez, referee Mark Clattenburg confirmed he saw the incident and refused to take action.

Mick McCarthy may even afford a smile this morning, after a 4-0 home win over Blackpool saw Wolves jump out of the relegation zone. Having beaten Man United in their last home game, McCarthy’s side continued their excellent Molineux form; they have won seven times at home, the same number as fourth-place Spurs.

They play host to Harry Redknapp’s boys next week and will need to do without Jamie O’Hara, who cannot play against parent club Spurs. With two goals and five Bonus Points in the last couple of gameweeks, O’Hara’s displays look integral to the club’s chances of staying in the top flight. Sylvan Ebanks-Blake is also coming into form; the forward came off the bench and, in just 35 minutes of action, grabbed a brace and all 3 Bonus Points. With Matt Jarvis also delivering (one goal and Bonus Points over those two games) McCarthy will be targetting their final five home games (TOT, EVE, FUL, WBA, BLA) as the key to survival.

Blackpool arrived at Molineux without suspended talisman Charlie Adam and Ian Holloway couldn’t have wished for a worse start, as they trailed to Wolves after just two minutes. DJ Campbell’s straight red card for violent conduct now means Holloway will have to do without his star striker too, with a three game ban for Campbell now on the cards. Olly admitted the player’s behaviour was unacceptable and described the game as a “stinking day at the office”. The depleted Seasiders first-team play host to Chelsea next; without their two key performers, hopes of a victory must be severely diminished and despite their fantastic win over Spurs last week, Blackpool sit just four points above the relegation zone.