Arsenal moved three points clear at the top of the Premier League with a 2-0 victory over Wigan. It looked like it would be a frustrating afternoon for the Gunners, who were without the suspended Cesc Fabregas, as they struggled to break down a resiliant Wigan defence. But William Gallas finally broke the deadlock with an 83rd-minute header before Tomas Rosicky added a second two minutes later.
Manchester United suffered their second defeat of the season at Bolton as Nicolas Anelka's clinical finish after eleven minutes secured another impressive result for Gary Megson. United were without Cristiano Ronaldo and couldn't break down the Trotters defence despite laying siege to Jussi Jaaskelainen's goal for the whole of the second half.
Liverpool sit third after goals from Steven Gerrard, Dirk Kuyt and Ryan Babel secured an easy win at listless Newcastle in the early kick-off. Manchester City moved into fourth as a stunning Stephen Ireland volley gave them a late victory over Reading at Eastlands. Martin Petrov opened the scoring, sliding the ball home in a goalmouth scramble, but James Harper sidefooted in an equaliser just before half-time, levelling the match until the 93rd minute.
Everton filled their boots as a clueless Sunderland defence came to Goodison Park, putting seven past Craig Gordon. Yakubu, Tim Cahill and Steven Pienaar put the Toffees three up before Dwight Yorke gave Sunderland a lifeline on the stroke of half-time. It proved a false dawn however, as Tim Cahill and Yakubu both added to their haul in the second half before substitute Andy Johnson and Leon Osman completed the rout.
England fans would have been looking on longingly at the Riverside Stadium as Martin O'Neill's Aston Villa saw off Middlesbrough 3-0 with a commanding performance, moving up to seventh in the table. Goals from John Carew, Olof Mellberg and Gabriel Agbonlahor left Middlesbrough without a win since September 1.
Birmingham dropped to sixteenth as Portsmouth claimed the points with a 2-0 victory at St Andrews. Sulley Muntari's tame shot crept inside debutant keeper Richard Kingson's near post to open the scoring, before Niko Kranjcar hit a unstoppable 25 yarder to cap a good week for the Croat.
