LONDON. Nov 10: League leaders Newcastle United opened up an eight-point lead at the top

of the English Premier League on Wednesday when a 13th minute Robert Lee goal gave them a 1-0 home win over champions Blackburn Rovers, reports Reuter.

The win was Newcastle's 11th from their opening 13 league games and took them on to 34 points -• eight ahead of second-placed Manchester United, who have a game in hand.

The goal came when' Lee. whose last-minute shot had brought about Steve Watson’s winner against Liverpool on Saturday, finished a typically intricate Newcastle move.

The ball was passed around between four players before Warren Barton found Peter Beardsley, who slipped it forward to Lee on the edge of

the box.

Lee turned inside defender Tim Sherwood before firing in a low left-foot shot that beat goalkeeper Tim Flowers and went in off the post for his fifth goal of the season.

Blackburn, with Just one point from their six away matches, could have been level soon afterwards when unmarked David Batty, whose last goal was when he was still at Leeds nearly three years ago. slipped past goalkeeper Shaka Hislop, but saw defender Darren Peacock clear off the Une.

Blackburn's new Norwegian signing Lars Bohinen also went close soon after, by again saw a shot saved on the Une.

There was also Joy in the north east for Middlesbrough. who had player-manager Bryan Robson back in the aide for the first time in six months.

Although their Brazilian midfielder Junlnho was back in South America on international duty. Middlesbrough beat First Division Crystal Palace 2-0 in their replayed League Cup third round Ue with goals from Craig Hignett and Norwegian striker Jan-aage FJortoft

Premier League Bolton won 3-2 at in another replay with goals from John McGinlay. ■Dutchman Richard Sneekes and Yugoslav international Sasa Curcic.

Middlesbrough will play Birmingham at home in the fourth round at the end of the month after the blues beat Tranmere 3-1 away after extra Ume in their third round replay.

Norwegian international Sigurd Rushfeldt. who joined Birmingham on loan this week, scored after 47 minutes before John Aldridge equalised in the last minute for Tranmere. Two Ken Charlery goals in extra Ume cUnched the tie for Barry Fry’s team who are challenging strongly for promoUon to the Premier League.

There was also an extra time win for Wolves, managed by former England manager Graham Taylor, who won their third round replay 2-1 at Charlton and now face Premier League Coventry in an all-Midland batUe in the next round.

Mark Atkins, who recently Joined Wolves from Blackburn. scored their winner eight minutes into the extra period