Soccer: Shearer and Henry reach goal-scoring milestones

LONDON - Former England captain Alan Shearer broke Newcastle United's goal-scoring record in a 2-0 home win over fellow strugglers Portsmouth this morning.

The 35-year-old, who took on the role of assistant to caretaker boss Glenn Roeder following the midweek sacking of Graeme Souness, scored in the second half to eclipse Jackie Milburn's record of 200 goals.

"Knowing Alan Shearer like I do, he will be happy to share that (the record) with the fans and send them away really happy," Roeder told Sky Sports.

It was Newcastle's first victory in seven league games and lifted them to 15th in the table, having picked up 29 points from 24 games.

France striker Thierry Henry also reached a significant milestone, grabbing his 200th goal for injury-hit Arsenal in their 2-0 triumph at Birmingham City.

Arsenal, on 40 points, moved up one place to fifth, one point behind neighbours Tottenham Hotspur who host Charlton Athletic in a London derby on Sunday.

Leaders Chelsea entertain third-placed Liverpool on Sunday, allowing second-placed Manchester United to trim their lead to 12 points with a lively 4-2 victory over Fulham at Old Trafford.

An inspired Cristiano Ronaldo was twice on target for the Reds, the first a swinging free kick, and his second coming late on to quell a spirited challenge from a Fulham side without an away win this season.

Park Ji-sung and Louis Saha were also on target for United in a five-goal first half in which Brian McBride and Heidar Helguson twice reduced the deficit to a single goal.

United manager Alex Ferguson refused to concede the title and said he would become a Liverpool fan for the day on Sunday.

"I will have my red and white on to support Liverpool," he said.

"It can happen -- it happened to us once -- but (Chelsea) are consistent and unless they really throw the championship away I can't see it. They really need to make catastrophic mistakes."

Rout

Luke Moore's hat-trick inspired Aston Villa to a 4-0 rout of sliding Middlesbrough while new signing Dean Ashton marked his first start for West Ham United with a goal in the 2-0 home win over bottom club Sunderland, who had Stephen Wright sent off.

West Bromwich Albion defeated Blackburn Rovers 2-0 and Bolton Wanderers shared a 1-1 draw with Wigan Athletic.

David Weir's goal gave Everton a 1-0 win at home to Manchester City, who had Stephen Jordan sent off with one minute to go.

New signing Dean Kiely was in sparkling form for second-from-bottom Portsmouth and it took Newcastle until the 41st minute to force the breakthrough.

Kiely made a fine save to deny Shearer but Charles N'Zogbia was on hand to convert the rebound.

Shearer, in his 550th top-flight appearance, made it 2-0 after 64 minutes when he beat Kiely having run on to a ball from Shola Ameobi.

"Everything was perfect because it was a win, he scored from open play, which I think he would have preferred to have done, and it couldn't be a more perfect day for Alan Shearer, the rest of the players and the fans," Roeder said.

Former Monaco striker Emmanuel Adebayor, just back from African Nations Cup duty with Togo, marked his Arsenal debut with a 22nd-minute goal at third-from-bottom Birmingham.

Arsenal, fielding an inexperienced side, made sure they ended a run of three defeats in four games when the club's record scorer Henry raced into the penalty area and slammed in a left-foot shot on 63 minutes.

"I am very pleased for him (Henry)," said Wenger. "He gave a great performance as well, just like the whole team did.

"But today I think he will be like everyone else, focussing more on the victory than on his 200th goal."

To add to Birmingham's woes, Emile Heskey was sent off with seven minutes left.

- REUTERS