Wigan demolished Newcastle 4-0 Saturday for another remarkable win in its attempt to avoid relegation from the Premier League and severely dent its opponent's chances of qualifying for next season's Champions League. With the fight for the title not resuming until leader Manchester United makes the short trip to second-place Manchester City Monday, much of Saturday's action centered on the teams fighting to stay in the lucrative Premier League. Newcastle had won six straight matches to move into fourth place but Wigan, which looked certain to be relegated just over a month ago, followed recent wins over Liverpool, Manchester United and Arsenal with four first-half goals. Wigan is now three points clear of the three-team relegation zone. Bolton remained in 18th place despite rallying for a 2-2 draw at Sunderland, while Aston Villa is still in danger after a 0-0 draw at mid-table West Bromwich Albion. At the other end of the table, Robin van Persie scored his 28th league goal of the season to earn third-place Arsenal a 1-1 draw at Stoke. Luis Suarez scored a hat trick to give Liverpool a 3-0 win at Norwich, while Nikica Jelavic scored twice as Everton scored four for the third straight league game to beat Fulham 4-0. Wigan was still last in the standings on March 17 after just one win in 14 Premier League matches but kept faith with its passing, attacking game and is now one of the division's in-form teams. “It was huge win today and we have two more huge games against Blackburn and Wolves,” Wigan manager Roberto Martinez said. “This result is fantastic for the fans but if we don't achieve our aim of staying in this league then it is going to mean nothing.” Victor Moses headed Wigan into the lead in the 13th minute and made it 2-0 two minutes later after Magpies defender Fabricio Coloccini failed to clear the ball and left his opponent with a simple finish from a loose ball. Shaun Maloney rounded off a team move with a finish from a tight angle on the left and Franco Di Santo struck a fourth goal in first-half injury time with a curling shot from outside the area. Wigan now has 37 points with two games remaining, three more than Queens Park Rangers and Bolton immediately below it and the same as Aston Villa. Villa needed a late save from goalkeeper Shay Given to earn a valuable point at West Brom. Last-place Wolverhampton Wanderers, which has already been demoted, fought back from 4-1 down to draw 4-4 at Swansea. Kevin Davies earned Bolton a point at Sunderland with his second goal of the game, while QPR plays Sunday at Chelsea. Blackburn, the other side in the relegation zone, is at Tottenham in Sunday's other game. Southampton earns promotion Southampton clinched promotion to the Premier League with a 4-0 victory over Coventry on the final day of the Championship campaign Saturday. The Saints return to the top flight for the first time since 2005 after goals from Billy Sharp, Jose Fonte, Jos Hooiveld and Adam Lallana crushed relegated Coventry in front of a jubilant capacity crowd at St. Mary's. Nigel Adkins' side needed the win to hold off the threat from third-placed West Ham, who would have snatched the second automatic promotion spot with its 2-1 win victory over Hull if Southampton had lost. West Ham finished third despite a 2-1 win over Hull and will enter the playoffs with Blackpool, Birmingham and Cardiff. “A lot of people have put a lot of hard work in here, the players deserve all the plaudits they'll get as everyone at this club has worked their socks off since I've been here,” Adkins told BBC television. “Southampton are back in the Premier League and I'm a happy man. I'm proud and honored.” Saints goalkeeper Kelvin Davis added: “The Premier League is a top division where we all want to play. “I feel like I've got unfinished business here, so my message to the lads will be to grab the opportunity with both hands.” After blowing a chance to seal promotion at Middlesbrough last Saturday, when a 2-1 defeat left Southampton sweating on their fate for one more week, there might have been a few jitters in the Saints dressing room before kick-off. Palermo struggles Palermo's poor run in the Sicilian derby continued Saturday when it was held 1-1 at home by Catania in Serie A. Palermo went close to a spectacular winner when Uruguayan forward Abel Hernandez struck the post with an overhead kick 10 minutes from time following Fabrizio Miccoli's chipped pass. Catania took the lead in the 25th minute when the unmarked Nicola Legrottaglie headed in at the far post. Palermo levelled 90 seconds into the second half when Nicolas Bertolo sent Miccoli clear and he found a gap between keeper Juan Pablo Carrizo and the near post. Catania is eighth in the table and Palermo 14th. In another match, Cagliari and Chievo Verona shared a 0-0 draw.
