after losing 3–1 to IFK Gothenburg, being reduced to 10 men after Paul Ince was sent off.b 25 November 1994 – Brian Little is named as the new Aston Villa manager on his 41st birthday. 26 November 1994 – Alan Shearer scores a hat-trick and Chris Sutton nets once as Blackburn Rovers beat Queens Park Rangers 4–0 in the league at Ewood Park to go top of the Premier League. Manchester United's short-lived lead is ended as they are held to a goalless draw at Arsenal in an ill-tempered match where Mark Hughes is sent off and Paul Ince injures his ankle blocking a shot from John Jensen. Middlesbrough return to the top of Division One with a 2–0 win at Charlton. 30 November 1994 – Blackburn Rovers are the new month-end Premier League leaders, ahead of second-placed Manchester United by a single point, while they are two points ahead of former leaders Newcastle United who have dipped to third place. Liverpool, Nottingham Forest and Leeds United are continuing to put up a strong challenge, along with a Manchester City side who spent last season battling to avoid relegation. Everton's new manager Joe Royle has taken them off bottom place over the last month with their first three league wins of the season, with Ipswich Town and Leicester City now propping up the league. Also in the relegation zone are League Cup holders Aston Villa, who almost won the league title two seasons ago. Middlesbrough finish the month as outright leaders of Division One with a two-point lead over Wolverhampton Wanderers. Tranmere Rovers, Bolton Wanderers and Luton Town complete the top five, while Swindon Town's drastic loss of form over the last month has seen them slump from the playoff zone into 19th place and manager John Gorman sacked to be replaced by 33-year-old Manchester City midfielder Steve McMahon, who takes over as player-manager. Portsmouth, another side who were looking like promotion contenders not so long ago, have slumped even further towards the relegation zone, only ahead of Bristol City on goal difference. West Bromwich Albion and Notts County continue to struggle. 3 December 1994 – Teddy Sheringham scores a hat-trick as Tottenham Hotspur beat Newcastle United 4–2 in the league at White Hart Lane. Blackburn remain top of the table with a 3–0 away win over Wimbledon, although an Eric Cantona goal gives Manchester United a 1–0 home win