(adds Manchester United v Blackburn Rovers)
LONDON, Feb 21 (Reuters) - Brief reports of Premier League
matches played on Saturday:
ARSENAL 0 SUNDERLAND 0
Andrei Arshavin made his debut for Arsenal but was substituted
in the second half as the Gunners drew 0-0 for the third
consecutive league match.
The Russia playmaker, Arsenal's record signing, began brightly
and had two early chances but faded as his lack of match fitness
caught up with him.
Arsenal, who host Roma in the Champions League on Tuesday, were
booed off at the final whistle.
- - -
ASTON VILLA 0 CHELSEA 1
Aston Villa's long unbeaten run was shattered by Chelsea thanks
to a 21st goal of the season by Nicolas Anelka.
The French striker struck after 19 minutes of Guus Hiddink's
first match in charge following inspired play by Frank Lampard.
Ashley Young struck the crossbar with a free kick for disappointing
Villa.
- - -
BOLTON WANDERERS 2 WEST HAM UNITED 1
A lightning start helped Bolton ease their relegation worries
although they had to hang on in the second half.
Matt Taylor opened the scoring after 10 minutes and Kevin Davies
turned in the second a minute later. Scott Parker replied for West
Ham after the break.
- - -
MANCHESTER UNITED 2 BLACKBURN ROVERS 1
United's relentless progress towards the title was given a
thorough test by Rovers who breached a defence that had managed a
league record of 14 consecutive clean sheets.
Wayne Rooney put United in front early on but Roque Santa Cruz
levelled when he rounded goalkeeper Tomasz Kuszczak and slid a shot
into the net.
Cristiano Ronaldo's dipping free kick on the hour sealed a 10th
straight win for United but Rovers were unlucky not to get a late
penalty when Morten Gamst Pedersen was pulled back.
- - -
MIDDLESBROUGH 0 WIGAN ATHLETIC 0
Boro look to be in serious danger of going down after another
uninspired performance.
They have now gone 14 matches without a league win and have
managed just 18 goals in 26 games.
- - -
STOKE CITY 2 PORTSMOUTH 2
An incident-packed last 15 minutes resulted in a draw that left
both sides deep in relegation trouble
An own goal in stoppage time by Ryan Shawcross earned Portsmouth
a deserved point after James Beattie's double, the first a
controversial penalty and the second suspiciously offside, had
seemingly won it for Stoke.
Portsmouth took the lead after 75 minutes through Croatian
midfielder Niko Kranjcar.
- - -
Playing Sunday:
Fulham v West Bromwich Albion (1330)
Liverpool v Manchester City (1500)
Newcastle United v Everton (1600)