Liverpool lose 2-0 at Middlesbrough

Liverpool's lingering Premier League title hopes virtually disappeared yesterday when they lost 2-0 at Middlesbrough, who secured their first league win in 15 matches.

Liverpool's second league defeat of the season leaves them on 55 points, seven behind leaders Manchester United.

Chelsea climbed above Liverpool into second place on goal difference after an injury-time header by Frank Lampard gave them a 2-1 home win over Wigan Athletic.

Aston Villa, fourth on 51, host Stoke City today and Arsenal's chance of catching them suffered another setback when they were held at home by Fulham for their fourth successive goalless Premier League draw.

Arsenal were booed off and are now just two points ahead of sixth-placed Everton, who beat West Bromwich Albion 2-0.

For once, Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger did not blame the opposition's negative approach for his team's failure to score.

"Fulham played well. It could have been 2-2 but we lacked fresh legs," Wenger said.

Liverpool's failure to win the league for 20 years while continuing to taste success in the Champions League has been encapsulated by their performances in the last week.

On Wednesday they humbled Real Madrid in their own stadium but that triumph was sandwiched between a 1-1 home draw with Manchester City and the defeat by a Middlesbrough team who had not managed a league goal since Jan. 10.

Recent history, though, suggested yesterday's result was not so much of an upset because the five times European champions had won only once in their last nine visits to Middlesbrough.

Boro went ahead after 32 minutes when Stewart Downing's cross hit Xabi Alonso's thigh and flew in for an own goal.

The second came on the 63rd when Jeremie Aliadiere cut the ball back for Turkey forward Tuncay, who calmly converted.

Nabil El Zhar of Morocco and Dutch forward Dirk Kuyt both missed great scoring opportunities.

Both chances were created by Steven Gerrard but the midfielder, making his first start for almost a month, limped off 15 minutes from time with what appeared to be cramp.

John Terry's deflected volley put Chelsea ahead against Wigan.

Steve Bruce's seventh-placed side have proved difficult opponents this season though and equalised through Olivier Kapo in the 82nd minute, only for Lampard to win it at the death.

Bruce was furious the referee didn't punish Lampard for a push on Mario Melchiot before he headed the winner.

"I don't blame Frank but the referee is standing 10 yards away. I just can't understand why he doesn't give it," he said.

Bogdanovic scores

Malta international Daniel Bogdanovic yesterday featured among the scorers in Barnsley's 2-1 home win against QPR in the Championship. He gave Barnsley the lead on 26 minutes but was later substituted (66 mins.).

Team-mate Maltese international striker Michael Mifsud played the entire match.