But just three minutes before the interval Darren Bent collected Danny Murphy’s pass between Gary Breen and Nyron Nosworthy to fire his 11th goal of the season past Kelvin Davis.

The first goal of the day in the Barclays Premiership came at The Hawthorns where Diomansy Kamara scored his first Premiership goal for West Brom.

Just five minutes had gone when Kamara collected an excellent crossfield ball from Junichi Inamoto before drilling a low shot past David James.

Bobby Zamora scored his second goal in six days as West Ham struck on the stroke of half-time away to Blackburn.

Marlon Harewood was allowed to advance deep into Rovers’ half before feeding Zamora who swept a right-foot shot into the bottom corner.

Robbie Savage had earlier struck the woodwork from a fourth-minute free-kick for the home side.

League leaders Chelsea were held to a goalless 45 minutes at home to Wigan - but it was not for the want of trying.

Only a fine one-handed save from Mike Pollitt prevented Chelsea from taking the lead in the 14th minute when Joe Cole collected a neat flick from Hernan Crespo and ran 30 yards before failing to beat the Wigan keeper.

Chelsea had a good shout for a penalty in the 24th minute when Lee McCulloch appeared to haul down John Terry inside the penalty area but referee Howard Webb opted to ignore their appeals.

And Leighton Baines cleared a Crespo header off the line as Jose Mourinho’s side dominated the opening period.

There were no goals in the other two games between Birmingham and Fulham and Bolton and Aston Villa.

Birmingham enjoyed the majority of possession but did not force a worthwhile save out of Fulham goalkeeper Mark Crossley in a tense opening 45 minutes at St Andrews.

Bolton, seeking a ninth straight home win in all competitions, were unable to find a way past Villa’s Thomas Sorensen in a dull first half at the Reebok.