If Arsenal's victory over Manchester United last weekend put Arsène Wenger's side back in the title race, then their deserved 2-0 defeat at home to Aston Villa returns any thought of a challenge firmly to the back burner. A Gabriel Agbonlahor strike and a Gael Clichy own-goal gave Villa the points, but their margin of victory would have been greater had Ashley Young's first-half penalty not been saved by Manuel Almunia.
Clichy put through his own goal with 20 minutes remaining after the impressive Young crossed from the left and Agbonlahor made it two 10 minutes later when he held off the challenge of William Gallas and fired past Almunia to leave Arsenal nine points off the top of the table.
Manchester United kept up the pressure on Liverpool, following their earlier win at Bolton, and Chelsea at the top of the Premier League table with a convincing 5-0 home win over Stoke City. Sir Alex Ferguson was hoping to put last weekend's defeat at Arsenal behind them and his side got off the best possible start when Cristiano Ronaldo opened the scoring in just the third minute with a swerving free-kick which Stoke goalkeeper Thomas Sorensen was unable to deal with.
The home side doubled their lead shortly before half-time when Ronaldo fed Carrick and the midfielder took a touch before finishing brilliantly with his left foot. Darren Fletcher and Carlos Tevez combined to set-up Dimitar Berbatov for the third at the start of the second-half. 17-year-old substitute Danny Welbeck scored a brilliant fourth when his 25-yard shot went in off the crossbar and another Ronaldo free-kick in the final minute saw the winger register his ninth goal of the season to complete a resounding victory.
Harry Redknapp's unbeaten run as Tottenham manager came to an end as his side slumped to a 2-1 defeat at Fulham. Tottenham goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes has appeared to be the only player not to have had an injection of confidence since Redknapp arrived from Portsmouth, and he was at fault for the opening Fulham goal. Simon Davies' long-range shot glanced off the head Jonathan Woodgate, and somehow slipped through Gomes' hands and into the net.
The home side doubled their advantage when a Jimmy Bullard corner was met by Clint Dempsey who found Andy Johnson with a header and the England international turned and gave Gomes no chance with the finish. Fraizer Campbell got one back for Spurs with a sharp finish, but Fulham played out the game impressively.
Sunderland put their midweek Carling Cup defeat to Blackburn behind them as they came from behind to win 2-1 when the two sides met again at Ewood Park.
Christopher Samba had given Paul Ince's side the lead when he headed in a Morten Gamst Pedersen cross, but second-half goals from Kenwyne Jones and Djibril Cissé were enough to give Roy Keane's side a much needed win.
Newcastle and Wigan played out an extraordinary 2-2 draw at St. James' Park. Ryan Taylor had given the visitors the lead, before Emerson Boyce was harshly sent-off for a foul on Shola Ameobi.
Substitute Michael Owen equalised with 10 minutes remaining and when Obafemi Martins scored seven minutes later it looked like Joe Kinnear's side had produced a remarkable comeback.
However, Titus Bramble, returning to his former club, scored an unlikely last minute equaliser to give Steve Bruce's men a share of the points.
Portsmouth had goalkeeper David James to thank for their point at West Ham. The game finished 0-0 but the England international made a series of second-half saves to deny Gianfranco Zola's side a much needed victory.
