Rooney hits super four goals

Rooney made his league tally 19 for the season - a career-best total only mid-way through the campaign - with an early opener and three late strikes to put down a brave effort from the Tigers, who stay in the drop zone after the loss.
It was not all sweetness and light for United though as captain Rio Ferdinand, returning to the team after a worrying back injury, could be in trouble with the FA after his elbow on Craig Fagan was missed by the match officials.
United were utterly dominant in the first half but only had Rooney's eighth-minute poacher's goal to show for two-thirds of the possession and almost 20 chances.
Michael Owen was particularly profligate, notching his first miss in the second minute when his finish came off Anthony Gardner and spun wide for a corner after good work by Rooney.
Rooney soon notched his 16th Premier League goal of the season though, poking the ball home from close range after Boaz Myhill could only parry a Paul Scholes distance special.
Myhill arguably could have done better with Scholes's initial effort, but he kept them in the contest afterwards.
Ji-sung Park headed wide five minutes later, off-balance as he met Darren Fletcher's cross, and Ferdinand poked Nani's corner just wide of the near post on his return from a worrying back injury.
The now usual haphazard United defending reared its ugly head soon after though, with consecutive suicidal defensive headers from Scholes and Jonny Evans forcing Edwin van der Sar to save bravely at Nick Barmby's feet, and the Dutch keeper flapping at the resultant corner and only saved by a Ferdinand clearance from Gardner at the far post.
After that though it was business as usual for the Red Devils.
Rooney had a half-volley deflected just over by a last-gasp Paul McShane block, while Nani saw a penalty appeal waved away after a reckless challenge by Geovanni, although the Brazilian seemed to pull out just in time.

United were all over the Tigers, as Owen was denied when Myhill stopped his spectacular volley and Kamil Zayatte blocked him on the rebound, while Rooney sent a superb free-kick inches wide with Myhill rooted to his goal-line.
Rooney then spooned the ball well wide from 12 yards after another swarming attack initiated by the evergreen Scholes, while late in the half Owen fired weakly at Myhill from eight yards out after some great build-up saw him play one-twos with Rooney and Nani.
Somehow it stayed 1-0 into the break, with Hull fortunate not to be long gone as they went down the tunnel.
The second half started slowly as, while United had almost all the possession, they failed to create any clear-cut chances until Myhill spilled Nani's low cross on 57 minutes.
Lone striker Fagan, while not getting any quarter in front of goal, defended from the front for Hull and chased everything and anything put in the United half, while Gardner and McShane in particular impressed at the back.
They gained in confidence, testing Van der Sar with some crosses and winning a corner on the right that bounced dangerously in front of goal before hitting Zayatte and going wide.
United woke up, and Rooney went close with a low drive before Park mis-hit another good low cross from Nani straight at Zayatte.
Owen was responsible for another miss, heading inches wide after getting behind Gardner to meet a perfectly-weighted free-kick won and delivered by Nani.
Hull came agonisingly close to an equaliser when substitute Kamel Ghilas did brilliantly to control McShane's cross before turning and firing a low drive across Van der Sar but just wide of the far post.
Another sub, Darron Gibson, nearly made it 2-0 for the hosts but his lob landed just the wrong side of the crossbar, while there was a moment of controversy in the build-up to that chance, with Ferdinand potentially in hot water after seeming to aim an elbow at Fagan in an off-the-ball-incident missed by referee Steve Bennett.
United got their second soon afterwards though.
On 82 minutes Nani - who would have been man of the match but for Rooney - smashed a free-kick off the bar: with Andy Dawson hurt after colliding with Myhill while clearing the rebound, Hull decided not to put the ball out of play and Nani fed Gibson, who slid Rooney through to smash the ball into the roof of the net.
Hull's resolve was broken and Rooney added a third four minutes later, arriving unmarked to head into the bottom left after yet another great delivery from Nani.
The England striker added a gloss to the victory with a fourth - the first time he has scored that many in one match - when he drilled into the bottom left after sub Dimitar Berbatov's pull down put him in, although Hull's defence backed off him to allow the shot.
United go two points clear of Arsenal and Chelsea, who have one and two games in hand respectively: Hull stay 18th, with a goal difference of -26, the worst in the division.

Tottenham 9-1 Wigan

Jermain Defoe fired in five goals as Tottenham Hotspur destroyed Wigan Athletic 9-1 at White Hart Lane in the Premier League.

Peter Crouch scored the opener for Spurs with the returning Aaron Lennon, Niko Kranjcar and substitute David Bentley also hitting the target, but Defoe rightly hogs the headlines as he rocketed up to the top of the league scoring charts, overtaking Fernando Torres with 11 goals.
Defoe's haul eclipses that of his club captain Robbie Keane, who managed four in the 5-0 win over Burnley in September, and equals the Premier League record set by Andy Cole in Manchester United's 9-0 defeat of Ipswich Town in 1995.
The stunning exhibition of clinical finishing from the England striker also takes his record against the Latics to nine goals in six Premier League starts against them.
His hat-trick came in a frantic seven-minute spell early in the second -half in which Paul Scharner also scored Wigan's consolation goal, but it was Crouch who got Spurs off and running.
After a opening 10-minute onslaught in which he had already put two chances wide, Crouch got in behind Titus Bramble to stoop low and head in Lennon's cross to put Spurs ahead.
Lennon, making his first appearance since picking up an injury in the 1-0 defeat to Stoke a month ago, terrorised former Spurs left-back Erik Edman throughout the match, if this game can be called that.
After Chris Kirkland had kept his side in the match at the break with two good saves from solid Defoe strikes, his team completely fell apart in the second half and looked nothing like the side that has beaten Aston Villa and Chelsea this season.
Five minutes after the break Defoe got off and running when he steered Lennon's low cross into the roof of the net from close range.
Three minutes later it was two for him when Emmerson Boyce failed to intercept Wilson Palacios's through ball and Defoe fired a clinical low strike across goal into the far corner.

With Wigan 3-0 down they already looked dead and buried, but Scharner gave them a sliver of hope when he fired in Hugo Rodallega's cross after clearly controlling the ball with his arm. Referee Peter Walton ignored Tottenham's protests and gave the goal, but it was cancelled out moments later when a rasping shot from Lennon's ball from the byline sealed Defoe's hat-trick and restored Tottenham's three-goal lead.
From then on there was only one side in this game and Tom Huddlestone, Lennon and Kranjcar ran riot in midfield. Lennon got a goal he richly deserved when Crouch played him in on the right to smash a low finish past Kirkland, and four minutes later Defoe latched on to Vedran Corluka's through ball to fire in his fourth.
The match began to open up as Tottenham eyed a record scoreline and Wigan frantically tried to save face, but it all fell apart for the visitors as they conceded three more in the final few minutes.
Edman's awful miscontrol of a long ball allowed Defoe to saunter through and fire in his fifth, and in the very next minute Bentley saw his well-struck free-kick rebound off the bar and in off the back of Kirkland's head.
Bentley turned provider in the third minute of injury time when he found Kranjcar on the edge of the box, and the Croat midfielder rounded off the rout with a swift turn and rocket shot that flew in off the underside of the bar.

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.

Man United move top as Arsenal slip again

Of the four English UEFA Champions League quarter-finalists, Arsenal FC were the only team not to win on Saturday - a home draw against Middlesbrough FC costing them the Premier League leadership after Manchester United FC triumphed at Derby County FC.

Touré leveller
Middlesbrough are the only team to defeat the Gunners in the top flight this season, and Gareth Southgate's side were on course for a memorable double thanks to Jérémie Aliadiere's 25th-minute opener with four minutes remaining, when Kolo Touré bundled the ball in following a corner. Arsenal have now drawn their last four league outings to relinquish top spot on goal difference to United, who have a game in hand and a superior goal difference.

Ronaldo winner
Cristiano Ronaldo was the champions' match-winner at Pride Park, finally breaking the resistance of the beleaguered bottom club with a 76th-minute winner - his 22nd top-flight goal of the season. Chelsea FC are also firmly in contention three points further back, John Terry (10) scoring the only goal at Sunderland AFC.

Torres goal
Liverpool FC, meanwhile, came from behind to beat Reading FC 2-1 at Anfield. Marek Matejovsky (5) put Reading ahead, but goals from Javier Mascherano (19) and Fernando Torres (48) ensured a fifth successive league triumph for the Reds, who are three points ahead of Everton FC in fourth ahead of their city rivals' trip to Fulham FC on Sunday.

Defoe delight
Jermain Defoe's sixth goal in as many matches for Portsmouth FC set the south-coast club on their way to a 2-0 victory against fellow European hopefuls Aston Villa FC. Nigel Reo Coker also put through his own net as Villa were leapfrogged into sixth by the FA Cup semi-finalists. Finally, 18-year-old substitute Fred Sears enjoyed a debut to remember as he scored an 81st-minute winner as West Ham United FC came from behind to beat Blackburn Rovers FC 2-1 and consolidate tenth spot.

Everton FC handed control to city rivals Liverpool FC in the race for the final UEFA Champions League qualification place after a 1-0 defeat at struggling Fulham FC.

Fourth victory
Despite both sides needing the three points for very different reasons, neither team was able to fashion any major chances of note during the opening period. However, Fulham upped the tempo after the restart and were rewarded when two former Everton players combined, Simon Davies' cross from the right being headed past Tim Howard by Brian McBride after 67 minutes. David Moyes' team offered little by way of response and remain fifth, three points behind Liverpool. Fulham's victory, just their fourth of the campaign, leaves the London club three points adrift of fourth-bottom Birmingham City FC on 23 points.

Liverpool ease to welcome away win

Liverpool FC ended their barren recent away form as they eased to a 3-1 Premier League win at Bolton Wanderers FC to maintain their battle for fourth place with city rivals Everton FC.

Bizarre opener
The disappearance of the Reds' slender title ambitions over the past two months has largely been down to a run of four away games without a win, yet they enjoyed a timely return to winning ways at Bolton. The visitors made much of the early running though their 12th-minute opener owed a fair amount to luck. Steven Gerrard's shot looked to be going just wide but Bolton goalkeeper Jussi Jääskeläinen dived to save it and in doing so contrived to help it into his own net thanks to vicious spin.

Second-half strikes
Without a league goal since the last time the sides met in December, Ryan Babel made it 2-0 on the hour, driving in a crisp, near-post effort after Dirk Kuyt's effort had cannoned back off the upright. Fábio Aurélio wrapped up the points 15 minutes from time with a well-taken volley, though substitute Tamir Cohen did head in a 79th-minute consolation for the home side. It was enough to lift Liverpool above Aston Villa FC and Everton to fourth, though their Merseyside rivals could retake the final UEFA champions League spot should they avoid defeat against Portsmouth FC later this afternoon.

Bendtner keeps Arsenal on top

Nicklas Bendtner's goal in the dying seconds earned English Premier League leaders Arsenal FC a 1-1 draw at home to Aston Villa FC but Manchester United FC moved within a point with a 3-0 win at Fulham FC.

United cruise
Arsène Wenger's side were set to lose top spot on goal difference but Bendtner pounced ten seconds from the end of three added minutes to cancel out a first-half Philippe Senderos own goal and keep them on top of the table. Manchester United had no such troubles against relegation-threatened Fulham with first-half efforts from Owen Hargeaves and Ji-Sung Park followed by a Simon Davies own goal after the interval giving them a comfortable win at Craven Cottage.

Chelsea response
Chelsea FC bounced back from their defeat in the League Cup final last Sunday with an impressive 4-0 win at London rivals West Ham United FC. Three goals in five first-half minutes killed the game off, with Frank Lampard's penalty, Joe Cole and Michael Ballack finding the net. Lampard was sent off before half-time but it did not affect Avram Grant's men as Ashley Cole rounded off the scoring after 64 minutes.

Reading relief
It was a mixed day for the teams at the wrong end of the table. Reading FC had lost seven games on the trot before their trip to Middlesbrough FC but a last-gasp James Harper goal boosted their survival chances by moving them level with fourth-bottom Bolton Wanderers FC. Birmingham City FC's Mikael Forssell scored a hat-trick as the strugglers picked up a significant 4-1 win at home to League Cup victors Tottenham Hotspur FC while Wigan Athletic FC secured a useful point with a 0-0 draw at Manchester City FC.

Keegan woe
Newcastle United FC are still searching for their first win under Kevin Keegan after Matt Derbyshire struck in added-time to give Blackburn Rovers a 1-0 win in the north east while Sunderland AFC were left disappointed as they failed to register their first away win at bottom side Derby County FC in a 0-0 draw.

Asenal lose ground

Liverpool 3-2 Middlesbrough

Fernando Torres grabbed a hat-trick as Liverpool came back from a goal down to beat Middlesbrough and move fourth.

The Reds went behind when Tuncay Sanli headed in from six yards before Julio Arca's mistake let Torres around keeper Mark Schwarzer to slot in and level.

Torres rifled in from 22 yards and side-footed in a third after Schwarzer rushed out of his goal without success.

Stewart Downing poked in a shot for Boro but the Reds held on with the help of Jeremie Aliadiere being red-carded.

The win was only Liverpool's second in the top flight since the turn of the year and came after a poor start when they quickly went behind following some terrible defending.

Boro striker Tuncay timed his run perfectly to move unmarked through Liverpool's flimsy offside trap and nod in Downing's free-kick.

The visitors have been an improving side in recent months and, while they showed plenty of energy in closing the Reds down, they also threatened with some promising attacking play.

Only a last-ditch Alvaro Arbeloa tackle on Boro striker Aliadiere stopped him breaking clear on the Reds goal.

But Liverpool were gifted an equaliser when midfielder Arca's header back towards his own goal went straight into the path of Torres and he capitalised on the error by equalising.

Torres added a second in as many minutes when he gathered the ball and powered a low shot into the bottom corner.

Boro refused to let the double blow change the way they played in an open game but had Tuncay booked when he put a cross into the net with the top of his arm.

Gary O'Neil shot wide against a Liverpool side that looked dangerous when going forward but uncertain at the back with the suspended Jamie Carragher missing.

Middlesbrough attacked with a purpose but were undone by defensive mistakes.

A long cross-field Liverpool pass brought Schwarzer rushing out of his goal to the edge of the box but Torres got to the ball ahead of him and central defender David Wheater before side-footing into an empty net.

Downing beautifully controlled and cut into the Liverpool box from the left late on before slotting a shot through the legs of keeper Pepe Reina to haul his side back to 3-2.

Aliadiere then was sent-off for Boro after lightly slapping Javier Mascherano, who appeared to provoke him by raising a hand to the striker's face.

The dismissal all but ended Boro's attempts to get a late equaliser as Liverpool held on for victory.

Newcastle 1-5 Man Utd

Two goals each from Cristiano Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney helped Manchester United beat Newcastle and close the gap on leaders Arsenal to three points.

Wayne Rooney opened the scoring when he volleyed in Cristiano Ronaldo's cross at the far post before the supplier slotted in from Michael Carrick's pass.

Ronaldo rounded Steve Harper for his second but Newcastle reduced the deficit when Abdoulaye Faye poked in.

Rooney curled in the fourth before Louis Saha slotted in late on.

The win puts Sir Alex Ferguson's side firmly back in the hunt for the title following Arsenal's draw at Birmingham, while the defeat leaves Newcastle just six points above the relegation zone.

What will not help manager Kevin Keegan's cause is that the team have not won in 10 games and have only scored three goals in six games since his arrival, conceding 16.

Following their 6-0 drubbing at Old Trafford in the reverse fixture last month, Newcastle were keen to avoid another embarrassment.

And for the first 24 minutes, Newcastle's defence coped well and the midfield worked tirelessly to keep the impish Ronaldo and Nani at bay with some juicy tackles.

But one of the problems for the Magpies this season is the frequent lapses of concentration and for United's first goal, left-back Charles N'Zogbia was the guilty figure, allowing Rooney to steal in front of him and tuck away Ronaldo's peach of a ball at the far post.

With the seal broken and Newcastle beginning to look typically ragged, the Old Trafford side pinged the ball about from wing to wing with carefree supremacy, while Carrick in the middle was quick to seize on loose balls from the Newcastle midfield.
It was Wallsend-born Carrick who set up the second goal when his surge and well-weighted pass found the eager Ronaldo, who slotted his shot under Given and into the corner.

Ferguson's side should have added two more in the first half, but Carlos Tevez headed over from six yards after he was first to Nani's right-wing delivery, while Ronaldo screwed his 10-yard angled shot wide.


Newcastle did not unleash their first shot in anger until after the interval when Damien Duff twisted inside the area and fired a low drive that Edwin van der Sar had to punch away.

Had the hosts scored then the game might have taken on a different look. Instead, the visitors once again exploited the Magpies frailties to extend their advantage.

Abdoulaye Faye, back from Africa Nations Cup duty, misplaced a pass and the ball found its way to Ronaldo who motored his way towards goal.

The Portugal international fended off a foolish attempt at a tackle from Steven Taylor before rounding Harper, who came on for the injured Given at half-time, for his fifth goal against the Magpies in two matches.

Faye pulled one back for the hosts after smashing in substitute Andy Carroll's nod down from a corner, but that only angered the visitors who scored a fourth when Rooney curled in a beautiful shot from the edge of the area.

And seconds before the final whistle there was time for ex-Magpie Saha to find the net with a low shot from Rooney's square ball.

Blackburn 4-1 Bolton

Benni McCarthy scored two penalties as Blackburn swept luckless Bolton aside.

McCarthy blasted home after Gretar Steinsson fouled David Dunn but replays suggested the ball was won cleanly.

Bolton were again unfortunate when Kevin Nolan struck the bar but Kevin Davies fired them level following a punt forward from Ivan Campo.

McCarthy netted after Cahill fouled Dunn, David Bentley headed in the third from Dunn's cross and Morten Gamst Pedersen swept in a fourth at the end.

Birmingham 2-2 Arsenal

James McFadden salvaged a point for Birmingham with an injury-time penalty but the game was overshadowed by a horrific injury to Arsenal's Eduardo.

The striker suffered a broken leg in the third minute after a tackle by Martin Taylor, who was sent off.

McFadden gave the Blues the lead with a 20-yard free-kick before Theo Walcott poked in his first Premier League goal.

Walcott made it 2-1 with a mazy run and shot before McFadden equalised after Gael Clichy fouled Stuart Parnaby.

Portsmouth 1-0 Sunderland

Jermain Defoe's late penalty earned Portsmouth only their fourth home win this season as Sunderland's miserable away form continued at Fratton Park.

An abysmal first half was typified by poor passing and scrappy play, and a Sulley Muntari shot that flew over was the closest either side came to a goal.

Sunderland were holding their own, though, until Phil Bardsley felled Nico Kranjcar and Defoe scored the penalty.

Grant Leadbitter had Sunderland's best chances but Pompey comfortably held on.

Fulham 0-1 West Ham

A late goal from Nolberto Solano gave West Ham a narrow win and put pressure on relegation-threatened Fulham.

The Hammers were frustrated in the first half as Carlton Cole saw a volley saved and another skim the bar, while Luis Boa Morte also went wide.

Fulham worked hard but West Ham's firm defence kept out Brian McBride's volley and Diomansky Kamara's effort.

Solano then bundled the ball in, to the fury of Fulham, who had Leon Andreasen sent off for his protests for handball.

Wigan 2-0 Derby

Paul Jewell's return to the JJB Stadium ended in defeat as second half goals from Paul Scharner and Antonio Valencia gave Wigan all three points.

Scharner pounced on the hour mark to turn the ball in at the far post after Emile Heskey's close range effort was parried by Derby keeper Roy Carroll.

Valencia wrapped up the points six minutes from time, crashing a shot into the roof of the net from six yards out.

The result moves Wigan up three places to 14th while Derby remain bottom.

Reading 1-2 Aston Villa

Aston Villa kept up their challenge for fourth place in the Premier League with a win at relegation-placed Reading.

Villa's Gareth Barry missed a dubiously-awarded penalty before the visitors went ahead when Ashley Young slotted home after a counter-attack.

Nicky Shorey had a shot parried as the Royals fought back, but Marlon Harewood curled in a shot to secure Villa's win.

Reading efforts did receive their reward in injury-time when Shorey scored with a 25-yard free-kick.

Arsenal five points Ahead

Goals at the start and the finish of the match earned Arsenal FC a 2-0 victory over Blackburn Rovers FC which extended their lead in the Premier League to five points.

Making sure
Arsène Wenger's men enjoyed the perfect opening at the Arsenal Stadium when Philippe Senderos rose unattended to head in a fourth-minute corner. The north London club were in a position to enhance a two-point advantage over second-placed Manchester United FC, and they made sure of the win as the game entered stoppage time. Aleksandr Hleb played the ball into the feet of Emmanuel Adebayor who finished adroitly past Blackburn goalkeeper Brad Friedel. It was Adebayor's 19th league goal of the season. Hleb had hit the post earlier in the second half, while half-chances for Roque Santa Cruz and Benni McCarthy could not prevent a first top-flight defeat of 2008 for ninth-placed Blackburn.

Golden chance for Arsenal

Chelsea FC and Liverpool FC played out a scoreless draw after Manchester City FC won 2-1 at Manchester United FC to complete a Premier League double over their city rivals.

Few chances
In a tight game at Stamford Bridge, Liverpool had the best opportunities with Peter Crouch passing up a trio of first-half chances. Chelsea, who could have gone to within a point of second-placed Manchester United after the latter's loss earlier in the day, could not find a way through the disciplined away defence and did not have an effort on target during the first period.

Ballack effort
Chelsea stepped up a gear in the second period and nearly won the game ten minutes from the end as Michael Ballack's volley drifted just wide. However, the draw leaves the London side five points behind league leaders Arsenal FC while Liverpool rise from seventh to fifth.

Home setback
There was a minute's silence before the Manchester derby in memory for the victims of the Munich air disaster, which happened fifty years ago this week. Once the game got under way, first-half goals from Darius Vassell and debutant Benjani Mwaruwari inflicted United's first home league reverse of the season, putting a serious dent in their title ambitions. An added-time goal from Michael Carrick was scant consolation for United, who have now lost four league games this term, two of which have come against their near neighbours.

Benjani glee
The visitors took the lead midway through the opening period when Vassell slotted in the loose ball after Edwin van der Sar had first denied Stephen Ireland and then Vassell himself. United threatened the Manchester City rearguard on a number of occasions but Sven-Göran Eriksson's team held firm and added a second moments before the interval when Benjani's glancing header from a Martin Petrov cross found the bottom corner.


Phil Jagielka's header was enough to give fourth-placed Everton FC a 1-0 win against Reading FC and open up a three-point gap to Aston Villa FC, who won 4-1 at home to Newcastle United FC with John Carew scoring a hat-trick.

Reading slump
Everton went into their game against Steve Coppell's strugglers unbeaten in five league games and looking to surge four points clear of their Merseyside rivals Liverpool FC ahead of their game at Chelsea FC tomorrow. Jagielka's header on 62 minutes proved decisive and saw Reading slip into the bottom three after suffering a seventh straight league defeat.

Carew treble
Aston Villa got off to the worst possible start when Michael Owen (4) headed in for Newcastle but Wilfred Bouma's equaliser after 48 minutes kick-started a string of goals for the home side. Carew headed in Ashley Young's left-wing corner then added another to confirm the points 18 minutes from time before converting a late penalty to complete his hat-trick.

Diarra stars
Lassana Diarra's 81st-minute strike was the difference between Portsmouth FC and hosts Bolton Wanderers FC and saw Harry Redknapp's team move into seventh spot while second-half goals from Robbie Keane, Younes Kaboul and a Dimitar Berbatov penalty gave Tottenham Hotspur FC a 3-0 win at basement side Derby County FC. The remaining three games all had implications at the bottom end of the table.

Relegation struggle
Middlesbrough FC moved above north-east rivals Newcastle as Jérémie Aliadière gave them a 1-0 win against Fulham FC. Dickson Etuhu and Daryl Murphy were on target as Sunderland AFC leapfrogged opponents Wigan Athletic FC and pulled five points clear of the drop zone while Birmingham City FC jumped out of the bottom three as James McFadden's penalty earned them a 1-1 draw at West Ham United FC. The other game tomorrow sees Manchester United FC entertain Manchester City FC.

Newcastle 1-1 Middlesbrough

A Robert Huth header four minutes from time earned Middlesbrough FC a 1-1 draw at Newcastle United FC in the English Premier League.

Disallowed goal
Newcastle had taken a second-half lead through Michael Owen but centre-back Huth's looping effort from a Julio Arca cross gave Middlesbrough a share of the points. The hosts started the game brightly and had an early goal disallowed after Owen was penalised for a foul on away goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer. However, the rest of the half was a cagey affair and neither side carved out a clear-cut opportunity.

Owen strike
After an hour, though, Newcastle struck when a Charles N'Zogbia set-piece was headed in by Owen for the Magpies' first goal in manager Kevin Keegan's second stint leading the club. However, Middlesbrough got a deserved equaliser through Huth and then nearly won it in injury time when a Stewart Downing free-kick hit the post with Jérémie Aliadière's follow-up ruled out for offside. Today's later game sees Fulham FC host Aston Villa FC.

Arsenal top as rivals falter

Two goals from Emmanuel Adebayor and an Eduardo da Silva strike handed Arsenal FC victory at Manchester City FC to take Arsène Wenger's side to the top of the Premier League while their rivals Manchester United FC and Chelsea FC both dropped points.

Form striker
Adebayor struck for the eleventh time in eight matches, nine minutes into Arsenal's trip to Manchester when he fired in from close range and they looked to be cruising when Eduardo acrobatically volleyed past Joe Hart 17 minutes later. The hosts did pull a goal back almost immediately through Gelson Fernandes but Arsenal wrapped up the points two minutes from time when Adebayor pounced on a loose ball in the penalty area.

United beaten
The victory gave Wenger's side a two-point advantage over Manchester United, who were held to a 1-1 draw at Arsenal's north London neighbours Tottenham Hotspur FC - Dimitar Berbatov opening the scoring at White Hart Lane on 21 minutes before Carlos Tévez snatched a last-minute equaliser. Meanwhile, Chelsea are six points adrift after they could only draw 1-1 at Portsmouth FC.

Everton denied
Elsewhere, Everton FC were denied the chance to tighten their grip on fourth after a 0-0 draw away against Blackburn Rovers FC. It allowed Liverpool FC to move to within a point of their Merseyside rivals after a 3-0 victory against Sunderland FC, with Peter Crouch, Fernando Torres and Steven Gerrard all on target. In other games, bottom side Derby County FC collected their second point this week with a 1-1 draw at Birmingham City FC, Reading FC slipped down to 17th after 2-0 defeat against Bolton Wanderers FC and Wigan Athletic FC moved out of the relegation zone with 1-0 victory against West Ham United FC.

Man United maintain Premier League advantage

Manchester United FC preserved their lead at the top of the Premier League thanks to late victory at Reading FC, while Arsenal FC kept up their challenge with success at Fulham FC.

Adebayor double
Wayne Rooney's sixth league goal of the season thirteen minutes from time and an added time Cristiano Ronaldo strike earned United a 2-0 success at the Madejski Stadium, moving the champions on to 54 points. Joining Sir Alex Ferguson's team on the same total are Arsenal, who won 3-0 at London rivals Fulham. Two first-half efforts from Emmanuel Adebayor and a Tomáš Rosický goal nine minutes from time consigned struggling Fulham to defeat, leaving manager Roy Hodgson still looking for his first victory since taking charge last month.

Pizarro effort
Also winners on the road were third-placed Chelsea FC, who won 1-0 at Birmingham City FC courtesy of a late Claudio Pizarro strike. Avram Grant's side remain four points off the pace on 50 points. Elsewhere, Blackburn Rovers FC squandered the opportunity to move level on points with fourth-placed Liverpool FC, after drawing 1-1 at home with Middlesbrough FC. Defender David Wheater grabbed his third goal of the season on 13 minutes at Ewood Park, but Blackburn levelled in the second half through Matt Derbyshire.

Benjani hat-trick
Portsmouth FC, who had not scored at home since September, defeated bottom side Derby County FC 3-1 to move into eighth. Lewin Nyatanga gave the visitors an early lead, but a Benjani Mwaruwari hat-trick secured the points. Elsewhere Tottenham Hotspur FC's improvement under Juande Ramos continued with a 2-0 success against struggling Sunderland AFC&Newcastle United FC marked Kevin Keegan's return as manager by drawing 0-0 with UEFA Cup hopefuls Bolton Wanderers FC at St James' Park .

Benitez VS Eriksson 0-0

After a weekend full of fast-paced and high-scoring matches in the Premier League, this game was more of a fine exhibition of technique and tactics, and was very much a battle of wits between the two managers.

The tone was set by the cagey fashion in which the match started, with City and Liverpool both defending their respective exemplary home and away records.

Both bosses were forced to field unfamiliar defences, with full back Alvaro Arbeloa filling in at centre back in the absence of both Sami Hyypia and Daniel Agger for Liverpool, while Michael Ball and Nedum Onuoha had rare starts for City, with regular right back Vedran Corluka deployed in an advanced midfield role.

It was Rafael Benitez's side who were given the time to keep more of the ball, though Sven Goran-Eriksson's team were content to sit deep and try to hit on the break through the pace of Martin Petrov and find lone front man Darius Vassell.

It was difficult for either side to carve open a clear-cut opportunity, though there were plenty of shots blocked and timely interceptions.

Derby suffered their 15th defeat of the season as Blackburn Rovers came from a goal down to win 2-1 at Pride Park.

Rams captain Matt Oakley opened the scoring for the home side before Roque Santa Cruz's equaliser, a minute after Brad Friedel saved a Steve Howard penalty, and David Bentley's strike from distance gave Mark Hughes' side all three points.

The result leaves Paul Jewell and his team eight points adrift at the bottom of the table, while Rovers move above West ham into ninth.

Although Derby had to endure large spells of Blackburn possession and creativity, they were positive going forward themselves, and just before the half hour mark Lewis' diagonal ball was knocked on by Giles Barnes for captain Oakley to mark his 250th league appearance by firing the ball through the legs of goalkeeper Friedel.

The goal marked the consecutive game in which Blackburn had conceded the first goal, and it knocked the visitors out of their stride somewhat, and soon afterwards Ryan Nelsen fouled Kenny Miller in the area.

Arsenal FC are the leaders

Arsenal FC will go into 2008 as the leaders of the Premier League after victory against Everton FC was combined with a surprise 2-1 defeat for Manchester United FC against West Ham United FC.

Arsenal rally
The result left United just a point clear of Arsenal, who travelled to an in-form Everton side knowing that victory would give them a two-point advantage at the summit. It was the home side who had the better of the first half and they deservedly led at the break thanks to a brave Tim Cahill header after 19 minutes. However, Arsenal rallied in a stormy second half where both sides had a player sent off - Mikel Arteta for Everton and Niclas Bendtner for Arsenal - scoring four times through Eduardo da Silva (47 & 58), Emmanuel Adebayor (78) and Tomáš Rosický (90).

Man United stunned & Chelsea Win

Manchester United FC were beaten 2-1 by West Ham United FC in the Premier League, allowing Arsenal FC the chance to regain top spot later on a Saturday where Chelsea FC left it late before overcoming Newcastle United FC.

United stunned
Champions United were seemingly on their way to a sixth successive league win when in-form Portuguese playmaker Cristiano Ronaldo found the net for the 13th time in the English top flight this season on 14 minutes at Upton Park. However they fell to only their second defeat in 18 games in all competitions when first Anton Ferdinand (77) and then Matthew Upson (82) turned the match in West Ham's favour. The result left the visitors just a point clear of Arsenal, who travel to Everton FC this evening.

Kalou clincher
Chelsea closed the gap on the leaders to four points at Stamford Bridge when they defied an injury-ravaged squad to beat Newcastle 2-1. Michael Essien had given Avram Grant's side the lead on 29 minutes and after Nicky Butt (56) equalised they managed to clinch the three points through Salomon Kalou just three minutes from time.

Four-goal Berbatov
Elsewhere, there was a remarkable game at White Hart Lane where Tottenham Hotspur FC beat Reading FC 6-4 thanks to four goals by Dimitar Berbatov and Aston Villa FC came from behind to claim victory 2-1 at Wigan Athletic FC. Middlesbrough FC also got three important away points, beating Portsmouth FC 1-0, Sunderland FC moved out of the relegation zone after a 3-1 win against Bolton Wanderers FC, and the points were shared at St.Andrews where Birmingham City FC and Fulham FC drew 1-1.

Arsenal stretch lead after derby win

Arsenal FC survived a scare against arch rivals Tottenham Hotspur FC, who missed a penalty, before emerging 2-1 winners in the north London derby on Saturday to extend their Premier League lead to four points.

Bendtner winner
Arsène Wenger's side were below their best for much of the game but the hosts took the points with a 76th-minute header by substitute Nicklas Bendtner after Spurs striker Dimitar Berbatov had cancelled out Emmanuel Adebayor's 48th-minute opener. The turning point of the match came when, with the match evenly-poised at 1-1, Manuel Almunia saved a penalty from Robbie Keane - who had earlier hit the bar - minutes before Bendtner headed in Cesc Fábregas's corner with his first touch.

Liverpool lifted
The Gunners lead the way on 43 points, four ahead of Manchester United FC, who play Everton FC on Sunday, while Chelsea FC, also in action on Sunday at Blackburn Rovers FC, are third on 34. Liverpool FC moved up to within a point of fourth-placed Manchester City FC after ending Portsmouth FC's sequence of seven consecutive away wins with a 4-1 win at Anfield. Yossi Benayoun (13) and a Sylvain Distin own goal (16) gave the Reds a 2-0 lead, which was halved by Benjani Mwaruwari (57), before Fernando Torres ended the contest with two fine strikes (67, 85).

City held
Manchester City remain without an away win since the opening day of the season after being held 1-1 at Aston Villa FC as Rolando Bianchi's opener (11) was cancelled out by Norwegian international John Carew (14). At the other end of the table Bolton Wanderers FC's perfect home run under Gary Megson continued after El Hadji Djouf (72) and Nicolas Anelka (78, 90) earned the Trotters a 3-0 win that saw them leapfrog opponents Birmingham City FC and Middlesbrough AFC.

Late winners
Middlesbrough lost 2-1 against West Ham United FC, for whom Scott Parker scored a last-minute winner, while Sunderland AFC also conceded a last-gasp Stephen Hunt effort that presented Reading with a 2-1 victory. Elsewhere, Fulham FC and Wigan Athletic FC shared a 1-1 draw.

Gallas strike puts Arsenal back on top

A William Gallas goal gave Arsenal FC a 1-0 win over Chelsea FC 1-0 to reclaim first place in the Premier League after Carlos Tévez had earlier given Manchester United FC a 1-0 victory at Liverpool FC to briefly put his side in top spot.

Čech error
In a competitive game at The Arsenal Stadium, John Terry had to be withdrawn in the first half after a challenge with Emmanuel Eboue had the Chelsea captain limping heavily. Both sides struggled to create chances before the break and it took a mistake just before half-time for the breakthrough to come. Cesc Fabregas' corner was completely missed by away goalkeeper Petr Čech and William Gallas headed into the empty net.

Lively second period
The game opened up after the break and both John Obi Mikel and Shaun Wright-Phillips went close for Chelsea while Robin van Persie had a goal ruled out for offside. Despite some late pressure from the west London side, Arsenal held out for the three points.

Manchester United 1-0 win at Liverpool

A Carlos Tévez goal gave Manchester United FC a 1-0 win at Liverpool FC that puts nine points beween the two sides in the Premier League table.

Tévez strike
Liverpool were the dominant side in the first half and saw a Harry Kewell effort cleared off the line by Anderson. However, United struck in the 42nd minute after a Ryan Giggs corner found Wayne Rooney whose shot was diverted in by Tévez.

Liverpool pressure
The second half brought more Liverpool pressure but the away side still managed to carve out good opportunities with Rooney missing the best of them after he was unable to convert a Cristiano Ronaldo cross. Liverpool manager Rafa Benítez made a raft of substitutions but the home side could not force an equaliser in a big blow to their championship bid.

Liverpool - United 0-1 Tevez

Manchester City bounce back as Portsmouth slip

Manchester City FC came from behind to beat Bolton Wanderers FC 4-2, keep their 100 per cent home record and move joint-fourth in the Premier League alongside Portsmouth FC, who lost 1-0 at home against Tottenham Hotspur FC, and Liverpool FC.

Berbatov winner
The four leading title contenders are in action on Sunday, with champions Manchester United FC playing Liverpool at Anfield before leaders Arsenal FC host third-placed Chelsea FC. And Portsmouth missed the chance to move two points ahead of Liverpool after conceding Dimitar Berbatov's 81st-minute winner at Fratton Park.

Ninth home win
City, on the other hand, became the only Premier League club to have won all nine of their home matches this season. But they had to come back from 2-1 down after El Hadji Djouf (31) and Kevin Nolan (40) cancelled out Rolando Bianchi's opening goal (7). A Ľubomír Michalík own-goal got Sven-Göran Eriksson's side back into the game three minutes after the break and Darius Vassell (77) and Kelvin Etuhu (90) completed a fine victory.

Eight-goal thriller
Struggling Wigan Athletic FC were the day's big scorers in a rollercoaster match during which they squandered a 3-0 lead before recovering to beat ten-man Blackburn Rovers FC 5-3. Roque Santa Cruz scored a hat-trick for the visitors, who had Brett Emerton sent off for a second bookable offence in the 57th minute, to make it 3-3. But the hosts, who had Emile Heskey carried off on a stretcher (38), took the lead again as Marcus Bent completed his own treble nine minutes from time, adding to earlier efforts by Denny Landzaat (10) and Paul Scharner (37).

Eight-goal thriller
Yakubu Ayegbeni scored his eighth goal in seven matches and Andy Johnson also struck to help Everton FC defeat West Ham FC 2-0 and move up to seventh, Sunderland drew 1-1 with Aston Villa FC but bottom-placed Derby County's misery continued with a 1-0 home defeat by Middlesbrough AFC. Elsewhere, Birmingham City FC and Reading FC shared a 1-1 draw and, in the later kick-off, Joey Barton's last-minute penalty earned Newcastle FC a 1-0 win at Fulham FC.

Arsenal suffered their 1st defeat

Arsenal FC suffered their first English Premier League defeat of the season as struggling Middlesbrough FC overcame the leaders 2-1 while there were also good wins for lowly Tottenham Hotspur FC and Bolton Wanderers FC.

One-point gap
Liverpool's loss at Reading FC on Saturday had left the Gunners with the last remaining unbeaten record in the division, but Arsenal were behind at the Riverside Stadium within four minutes as their former striker Jérémie Aliadière was fouled in the box by Kolo Touré and Stewart Downing converted the penalty. The home side kept up the pressure throughout and with 16 minutes left the lively Tuncay Şanlı doubled the lead after pouncing on a loose ball. Tomáš Rosický pulled one back at the end, but Arsenal, last beaten in the Premier League 22 games ago in April, remain just one point clear of Manchester United FC, who defeated Derby County FC 4-1 yesterday.

Strugglers win
Middlesbrough are out of the bottom three but two teams that could have replaced them, UEFA Cup contenders Tottenham and Bolton avoided that fate with wins today. Spurs defeated high-flying Manchester City FC 2-1 as substitute Jermain Defoe struck late on to restore the Tottenham lead after Rolando Bianchi had equalised Pascal Chimbonda's opener.

Ashton clincher
Bolton secured a 4-1 win against second-bottom side Wigan Athletic FC. Paul Scharner's early own goal was cancelled out for Wigan by Denny Landzaat but Kevin Nolan, Kevin Davies and Nicolas Anelka sealed the victory. Sunderland AFC drop into the relegation zone, while West Ham United FC climb to tenth after Dean Ashton's goal sealed a 1-0 win at Blackburn Rovers FC.