Shearer strikes to set Newcastle record

Former England captain Alan Shearer broke Newcastle United's goal-scoring record in a 2-0 home win over fellow strugglers Portsmouth yesterday.

The 35-year-old, who took on the role of assistant to caretaker boss Glenn Roeder following the midweek sacking of Graeme Souness, scored in the second half to eclipse Jackie Milburn's record of 200 goals.

"Knowing Alan Shearer like I do, he will be happy to share that (the record) with the fans and send them away really happy," Roeder told Sky Sports.

It was Newcastle's first victory in seven league games and lifted them to 15th in the table, having picked up 29 points from 24 games.

France striker Thierry Henry also reached a significant milestone, grabbing his 200th goal for injury-hit Arsenal in their 2-0 triumph at Birmingham City.

Arsenal, on 40 points, moved up one place to fifth, one point behind neighbours Tottenham who host Charlton in a London derby today.

Leaders Chelsea entertain third-placed Liverpool today, allowing second-placed Man. United to trim their lead to 12 points with a lively 4-2 victory over Fulham at Old Trafford.

An inspired Cristiano Ronaldo was twice on target for the Reds, the first a swinging free-kick, and his second coming late on to quell a spirited challenge from a Fulham side without an away win this season.

Park Ji-sung and Louis Saha were also on target for United in a five-goal first half in which Brian McBride and Heidar Helguson twice reduced the deficit to a single goal.

Luke Moore's hat-trick inspired Aston Villa to a 4-0 rout of Middlesbrough while new signing Dean Ashton marked his first start for West Ham with a goal in the 2-0 home win over bottom-placed Sunderland, who had Stephen Wright sent off.

West Bromwich Albion defeated Blackburn Rovers 2-0 and Bolton Wanderers shared a 1-1 draw with Wigan Athletic.

David Weir's goal gave Everton a 1-0 win at home to Manchester City, who had Stephen Jordan sent off with one minute to go.

New signing Dean Kiely was in sparkling form for second-from-bottom Portsmouth and it took Newcastle until the 41st minute to force the breakthrough.

Kiely made a fine save to deny Shearer but Charles N'Zogbia was on hand to convert the rebound.

Shearer, in his 550th top-flight appearance, made it 2-0 after 64 minutes when he beat Kiely having run on to a ball from Shola Ameobi.

Adebayor on target

Former Monaco striker Emmanuel Adebayor, just back from African Nations Cup duty with Togo, marked his Arsenal debut with a 21st-minute goal at Birmingham.

Arsenal, fielding an inexperienced side, made sure they ended a run of three defeats in four games when the club's record scorer Henry raced into the penalty area and slammed in a left-foot shot on 63 minutes.

"I am very pleased for him (Henry)," said Wenger. "He gave a great performance as well, just like the whole team did.

"But today I think he will be like everyone else, focusing more on the victory than on his 200th goal."

To add to Birmingham's woes, Emile Heskey was sent off with seven minutes left.

Villa striker Moore, who has netted home and away this season against Chelsea, enhanced his burgeoning reputation by scoring in the 18th, 62nd and 64th minutes at 17th-placed Middlesbrough. Kevin Phillips was also on target as Villa stretched their unbeaten away run in the league to seven matches.

Campbell makes contact with Arsenal

Meanwhile, Arsenal defender Sol Campbell has contacted manager Wenger for the first time since being substituted on Wednesday and will be back in training next week.

Campbell's lawyer denied yesterday that the England international had personal problems.

"Sol is absolutely fine. He needed time and space to gather his thoughts," Bon Battu said in a written statement to Sky television.

The centre-back has not been seen in public since he was substituted at half-time in Wednesday's 3-2 defeat by West Ham. Campbell stormed out of Arsenal's Highbury stadium after his substitution.

After yesterday's 2-0 win at Birmingham, Wenger said Campbell had been in touch for the first time since Wednesday.

"I had a short contact with him last night. He's okay and focused to come back and to work hard to get back into the team."