Top English trio held to goalless draws

(CNN) -- None of the Premier League's top three teams managed a goal between them on Saturday as Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester United were all held to surprise 0-0 draws.

Leaders Chelsea continued their indifferent home form as they were held to a draw by a battling Newcastle side at Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea, who have won only three of their seven home matches this season, had a Joe Cole goal ruled out for offside, while the home side also claimed that goalkeeper Shay Given had carried a Frank Lampard free-kick over the line.

Second-placed Liverpool, who trail Chelsea on goal difference, also endured a frustrating afternoon as they were held to a goalless draw by Fulham at Anfield.

Before the match, the visitors had collected just one point on their travels but they turned in a disciplined and confident performance with a lackluster Liverpool side missing the influence of injured captain Steven Gerrard.

Manchester United wasted a great chance to close the gap on the leading duo when they drew 0-0 at improving Aston Villa, who moved up to fourth place with this point in the late kick-off.

United remain eight points off the top, although they have a game in hand on their title rivals.

The visitors had the best chance of a cagey match, when Michael Carrick hooked the ball over the Villa defense for Wayne Rooney, but the England striker fired high and wide from close range.

In other Premier League action, defender Noe Pamarot put the ball into his own net as Hull City snatched a dramatic late 2-2 draw at Portsmouth.

Papa Bouba Diop hit the crossbar before Peter Crouch headed home Younes Kaboul's cross to put the home side in front.

Geovanni then hit the crossbar for Hull, but defender Michael Turner eventually levelled when heading home a corner.

Glen Johnson put Portsmouth back in front with a spectacular volley but Pamarot headed into his own net under pressure from Hull substitute Dean Windass.

Stoke continued their impressive home form with a 1-0 victory over fellow-new boys West Bromwich Albion, who remain rooted to the bottom of the table.

Mamady Sidibe headed home Danny Higginbotham's left-wing cross as the hosts secured their fourth consecutive home victory.

Bolton brought Middlesbrough's unbeaten run of five games to a grinding halt with a comfortable 3-1 victory at the Riverside.

Icelandic defender Gretar Steinsson nodded in Matt Taylor's cross for the opener via the head of team-mate Kevin Davies.

Taylor then doubled the lead in just the 10th minute, cleverly wrong-footing the defence before firing in Steinsson's pass from the right.

Emanuel Pogatetz pulled one back in the second half, but Swedish international Johan Elmander crashed in the third to wrap up the game for the visitors.