Champions Chelsea are once again favourites for the Premiership
title after another scintillating weekend of action.
Despite six games on Saturday, all eyes were very much on Sunday's
games - with the double header that saw Chelsea and Manchester
United facing tricky away tasks, and it was Jose Mourinho's men who
passed the test and moved to within two points of their
rivals.
For much of the match at Goodison Park, Everton looked as if they
would take at the very least a point. But stunning strikes from
Frank Lampard and Didier Drogba gave Chelsea a 3-2 success.
How United could have done with some of Chelsea's exquisite
finishing as they succumbed to West Ham, who in Alan Curbishley's
first game fell to a 1-0 defeat as Nigel Reo-Coker swooped late on
to condemn The Red Devils to their first league defeat since
September.
Liverpool's good form continued as they moved into third with a
thoroughly comfortable 3-0 victory over second from bottom Charlton
at The Valley.
The Reds were able to move into the top three after Arsenal and
Portsmouth played out a 2-2 draw at Emirates Stadium.
Pompey left North London thinking what could and should have been
as they were two up just after the interval, only for The Gunners
to strike back with a quick-fire double through Emmanuel Adebayor
and Gilberto Silva.
Bolton are fifth after an excellent 1-0 win at Aston Villa,
although goalkeeper Jussi Jaaskelainen left with most of the
plaudits after a string of saves kept the home side at bay - which
meant Gary Speed's penalty was enough for victory.
Tottenham were also major movers as they claimed their first away
win of the season with a 2-1 success at Manchester City.
At the bottom it was a successful weekend for Sheffield United,
Newcastle and Blackburn - who all claimed crucial wins.
The Blades travelled to Wigan and will have been delighted with
their efforts as Rob Hulse's flick gave them a 1-0 win - which
takes them three points clear of the relegation zone.
Newcastle's recent upturn in form continued at St James' Park with
a hard fought 2-1 victory over bottom-of-the-table Watford, with
Obafemi Martins proving the hero with a second-half brace.
Blackburn made sure they would not end the weekend in the bottom
three as they came from behind at Reading to seal a 2-1 win, with
David Bentley's wonder-strike winning it for Mark Hughes's men.