[AMERICANS IN BRITAIN] Jonathan Spector saw his first English Premier League action in a month when he came on for West Ham as a 78th minute sub in a 0-0 tie at Portsmouth. It was the 21-year-old defender's fifth EPL appearance of the season. Misery continued for last-place Derby County, which fell, 2-0, against Everton, for whom keeper Tim Howard got the shutout. Eddie Lewis played the first 57 minutes for Derby but Benny Feilhaber didn't suit up. Keepers Brad Friedel (Blackburn) and Marcus Hahnemann (Reading) celebrated wins, but although Clint Dempsey came close to scoring, Fulham extended its winless streak to nine games. In Scotland DaMarcus Bealsey and Rangers lost at Dundee United.

Hahnemann conceded his 23rd goal in 11 games on an own goal, but Reading (for which Bobby Convey did not see action) downed Newcastle United, 2-1.

Blackburn moved into sixth place and into the UEFA Cup qualifying zone with a 2-1 win at Tottenham in which Friedel made several good saves but was beaten from the penalty spot by Robbie Keane.

In Fulham's 1-1 tied at Sunderland, Dempsey was denied by keeper Craig Gordon on a header and shot wide and high on two other chances.

Carlos Bocanegra also went the full 90 for Fulham and like Dempsey was yellow-carded. It was Dempsey's second yellow of the season and Bocanegra's fifth.

Beasley played the full 90 in Rangers' 2-1 loss to Dundee United. The loss keeps Rangers three points behind leader Celtic.