Arsenal FC opened up a five-point lead

Arsenal FC opened up a five-point lead at the top of the Premier League after a 2-1 win at Aston Villa FC on a day when Chelsea FC overcame West Ham United FC.

Adebayor winner
Villa had hopes of a first win against the Gunners in nine years when Craig Gardner (14) put the hosts ahead but Mathieu Flamini's equaliser (23) and an Emmanuel Adebayor header (36) gave Arsène Wenger's side, who are still unbeaten in the English top flight, their third consecutive league away win. Earlier in the day, Chelsea had moved to within two points of the leaders with a 1-0 win against West Ham United thanks to Joe Cole's solitary goal (76).

Bentley double
Blackburn Rovers FC – for whom David Bentley scored twice (54, 67) – completed a comeback against Newcastle United FC, who had taken the lead through Obafemi Martins (47). Tugay Kerimoglu struck late on to make it 3-1 and condemn the visitors to their fourth Premier League defeat in five matches.

Sunderland win
Sunderland AFC erased the memory of last week's 7-1 defeat against Everton FC with a last-gasp win at bottom club Derby County FC to move out of the bottom three while Reading FC and Wigan Athletic FC were held to 1-1 draws at home by Middlesbrough FC and Manchester City FC respectively. Elsewhere, Portsmouth FC drew 0-0 at home against Everton.