Arsenal revival while Man United response

Arsenal FC gained a vital victory by overturning a two-goal deficit to win 3-2 at Bolton Wanderers FC – but they still trail Premier League leaders Manchester United FC by six points.

Title race
A stoppage-time own goal from Jlloyd Samuel snatched the points for Arsenal who had started the day in third place yet moved into second. However, Manchester United remain in charge of the title race after defeating Aston Villa FC 4-0 at Old Trafford in the Saturday evening kick-off. Chelsea FC, in third, host Middlesbrough FC on Sunday.

Arsenal revival
Arsène Wenger's men endured a miserable first half at the Reebok Stadium with two goals for Matthew Taylor sandwiching the 31st-minute sending-off of Arsenal midfielder Abou Diaby. But the Gunners' ten men fought back after the interval. William Gallas reduced arrears before Robin van Persie's penalty restored parity and then Cesc Fabregas forced the decisive own goal. The result ended a five-match winless run for Arsenal in the Premier League.

United response
United responded to the news from Bolton by beating Villa with two goals in each half. A home victory looked likely from the moment Cristiano Ronaldo put United in front on 17 minutes with an outrageous flick between the legs of a defender. Carlos Tévez and then Wayne Rooney with a brace were also on target. Villa, seeking European qualification, missed several opportunities with Shaun Maloney the most culpable.

Derby relegated
If the Arsenal scoreline left Bolton four points adrift in the bottom three, the draw in the meeting of the two sides below them suited neither. Derby County FC scored first and last in the 2-2 home draw with Fulham FC but were relegated despite Emanuel Villa's late equaliser. The home victories elsewhere for Birmingham City FC and Sunderland AFC could also prove costly for Bolton and second-from-bottom Fulham. Birmingham survived the sending-off of Franck Queudrue to beat Manchester City FC 3-1 with two goals from Mauro Zarate. Sunderland owed their 2-1 success against West Ham United FC to an added-time strike from Andy Reid.

Portsmouth prevail
FA Cup semi-finalists Portsmouth FC consolidated sixth place courtesy of a 2-0 home win over strugglers Wigan Athletic FC. Blackburn Rovers FC sit three points behind them following a 0-0 draw at Reading FC.

Fernando Torres continued his rich goalscoring form as Liverpool FC beat Everton FC 1-0 in the Merseyside derby to complete a clean sweep for the Premier League top four, with Chelsea FC seeing off Middlesbrough FC.

Liverpool chances
Torres struck his tenth goal in eight outings after just seven minutes at Anfield. Xabi Alonso dispossessed Yakubu Ayegbeni, the ball falling favourably to Dirk Kuyt who guided the ball into Torres's path and the Spain striker rifled low into the far corner. It capped a vibrant start by the hosts, who could have gone into half-time further ahead but Kuyt and Ryan Babel both squandered chances before Steven Gerrard's dipping volley came back off the post.

Osman effort
Everton's best chance came when Leon Osman stooped to head Mikel Arteta's free-kick just wide soon after the restart, but Liverpool were rarely troubled as they moved five points clear of their rivals in the race for fourth in the Premier League. Chelsea second, though the west London side had Ricardo Carvalho to thank – not to mention some good fortune – as they beat Middlesbrough 1-0 at Stamford Bridge to keep the pressure on Arsenal FC and Manchester United FC, both victors yesterday.

Alves misfortune
Without a goal in almost a year, Carvalho struck after just six minutes, heading in Wayne Bridge's free-kick to mark his150th appearance for the club in style. Yet any expectations of an easy afternoon for the hosts proved unfounded as struggling Middlesbrough were denied by the woodwork three times. Substitute Afonso Alves hit the post from 35 metres out midway through the second half and then both he and defender David Wheater headed against the bar in a late goalmouth scramble but nervous Chelsea held on.

Newcastle impress
The result means Middlesbrough slip to 13th, a point behind north-east rivals Newcastle United FC, who made it two wins in two with an impressive 4-1 victory at Tottenham Hotspur FC. Trailing as half-time approached, Nicky Butt scored a timely equaliser just before the interval and the visitors did not look back as three goals in the second period completed the turnaround.