Thomas Hitzlsperger helped West Ham keep their slim hopes of beating the drop alive with a late goal in the Hammers 1-1 draw with Blackburn.

Jason Roberts ' early strike looked to have earned Blackburn all three points, but Hitzlsperger came to the home side's rescue with a clinical finish in the 78th minute and ensured they still have it all to play for.

Avram Grant's side will now have to win their final two games of the season against Wigan and Sunderland and hope other results go their way if they are to stay in the Premier League.

It could have been a lot worse for the home side after Steven N'Zonzi fired a shot which was well palmed away by Robert Green. West Ham were handed a major lifeline on 78 minutes when Carlton Cole played the ball into Hitzlsperger and he fired a sweet left-foot shot which flew past Robinson into the corner of the net.

Substitute Robbie Keane blew a golden chance to grab the winner on 87 minutes when Frederic Piquionne's cross fell to the Republic of Ireland forward, but with the goal at his mercy he somehow failed to connect with the ball.

West Ham remain three points adrift of safety, while Blackburn are three points clear of the drop zone.

Wigan Athletic continued their run of never having lost a Premier League game at Villa Park after a 1-1 draw with Aston Villa.

Starting the day in the bottom three, Wigan drew first blood in the 10th minute with a clinical finish from Charles N'Zogbia.

The Frenchman powered the ball low into the corner after Victor Moses did well to skip the challenge of Richard Dunne and lay the ball in down the left channel.

But Villa were level seven minutes later through England man Ashley Young.

The midfielder won a free kick 25 yards from goal, and with an assist by Stiliyan Petrov curled the ball low around the wall and into the corner of the net.

Blackpool almost claimed the three points they desperately needed to avoid relegation but had to settle for a point in a dramatic 1-1 draw with Tottenham.

Charlie Adam missed a penalty with 15 minutes to go after Michael Dawson handled in the box but the Scotland international had the chance to atone for his miss, again from the spot, just 21 seconds later when Spurs keeper Heurelho Gomes tripped Gary Taylor-Fletcher.

This time, Adam netted to seemingly give Blackpool a crucial win but Jermain Defoe's strike on 88 minutes salvaged a point for Tottenham, whose dreams of holding on to fourth place and a Champions League spot are hanging in the balance.

Everton threw the race for the Champions League wide open with a stunning comeback to beat Manchester City 2-1 at Goodison Park.

City, who have now lost seven of their last eight games against the Toffees, dominated the first half but only had a Yaya Toure goal to show for it.

And Everton stormed back with goals from ex-City defender Sylvain Distin and a delightful header from Leon Osman.

Newcastle prevailed 2-1 against 10 man Birmingham in a dreary game at St James' Park.

With two teams seemingly safe in the Premier League slowly limping their way to the end of the season, the game was pretty poor for the neutral until it sprang into life before the break.

Ten minutes before half time the rain stopped and the game sprang in to life. Joey Barton's superb corner caused havoc in the Birmingham penalty area, with Liam Ridgewell eventually handballing Fabricio Coloccini's goal-bound header, earning the defender a straight red card.

Shola Ameobi stepped up and calmly dispatched the spot-kick to give the host the lead.

Birmingham goalkeeper Ben Foster had to be at his very best to stop the home side going further ahead first denying Peter Lovenkrands and then tipping over Nolan's fierce shot.

From the resulting corner Newcastle stretched their lead, Steven Taylor powerfully heading in Barton's corner.

Birmingham's Sebastian Larsson seemed to help the ball into the net but Taylor will no doubt claim the goal.

Birmingham scrambled a goal back just before half time; Cameron Jerome's power caused problems for the Newcastle defence and Lee Bowyer powered home the loose ball via deflection from Coloccini.

Sulley Muntari's goal in the dying minutes claimed all three points for Sunderland in their 2-1 Premier League victory over Bolton.

Steve Bruce's men seemed to be heading for a draw when Ivan Klasnic headed home on an equaliser on 87 minutes, but Muntari's strike in the 93rd minute means Sunderland are on 44 points and surely safe from the threat of relegation.

The visitors were celebrating a little while later when Boudewijn Zenden nipped in to slot the ball past Jussi Jaaskelainen for Sunderland's first away goal since February 5.