Yesterday’s Premier League action produced vital wins at both ends of the table.

Strugglers Reading secured a 2-1 win at fellow relegation candidates Newcastle. The home side took the lead on 35 minutes though.

French midfielder Yohan Cabaye curled home a superb free-kick to give the Magpies the lead.

Reading keeper Adam Federici kept the visitors in the game in the first half and his saves proved vital in the second period.

The visitors came out far better in the second half and equalised in the 71^st minute. Substitute Adam Le Fondre had been on the pitch for just a minute before finding the net. Jimmy Kebe picked up the ball from Mikele Leigertwood and the winger fired a ball into Le Fondre who smuggled the ball over the goal-line.

Six minutes later and the striker was at it again. Kebe headed the ball down to young midfielder Hope Akpan, whose miss-hit shot found Le Fondre 12 yards out and the striker made no mistake with his finish.

Newcastle had late chances to equalise, but couldn’t find a way past Federici in the Royals goal. The victory could prove to be a vital one, as it moved Brian McDermott’s side temporarily out of the relegation zone.

Champions Manchester City defeated Fulham 2-0 at the Etihad Stadium, to cut the gap at the top of the Premier League to four points. The home side gained the lead after just two minutes. David Silva found the net with ease, after Mark Schwarzer had parried Edin Dzeko’s effort.

Silva doubled his and City’s tally on 69 minutes. Carlos Tevez flicked the ball into the Spaniard’s path and the midfielder found the net with a deft lob over Mark Schwarzer. City will now be hoping that Manchester United slip-up against Tottenham on Sunday afternoon.

Other Premier League results:

Liverpool 5-0 Norwich

Swansea 3-1 Stoke

West Ham 1-1 QPR

Wigan 2-3 Sunderland

West Brom 2-2 Aston Villa

Could Reading beat the odds and stay in the Premier League this season?