Manchester United closed the gap on leaders Chelsea to seven points after a hard-fought victory at Bolton. Kevin Davies gave the Trotters the lead after 26 minutes but Louis Saha equalised for the Reds on 33. Ruud van Nistelrooy scored his 150th goal for 9/10 United with 11 minutes remaining.

Birmingham salvaged a precious point at St Andrews against 1/3 (Gamebookers) Chelsea in the biggest coupon buster of the weekend. Hernan Crespo wasted a gilt-edged chance late on and the match finished a 0-0 draw with odds on the stalemate a tasty 4/1.

Robbie Fowler edged ahead of Kenny Dalglish in the all-time Liverpool goalscoring chart as the Reds eased past WBA 2-0 at the Hawthorns. Fowler needed just seven minutes for his record-breaking goal while Djibril Cisse seven minutes before half-time sealed victory for the 4/7 Reds.

Tottenhams grip on fourth place loosened as they crashed 3-1 at Newcastle. Lee Bowyer put the 13/8 Magpies ahead after two minutes but Robbie Keane levelled matters on 19. Shola Ameobi after 25 minutes and an Alan Shearer penalty on the half hour ended a run of three successive league defeats.

Arsenal closed the gap on fourth placed Tottenham to just two points after giving Aston Villa a footballing lesson at Highbury. Emmanuale Adebayor scored after 19 minutes and Thierry Henry doubled the advantage on 25. Henry netted a second moments after the break while Robin van Persie on 71 and Vassiriki Diaby on 80 made the 3/10 Gunners the safest bet of the afternoon.

Portsmouth gave themselves a fighting chance of survival with a third consecutive win. Gary ONeill broke the deadlock at Craven Cottage inside a minute but Fulham were level through Steed Malbranque after 10. Pompey went ahead through Lomano LuaLua on 24 and ONeills second ensured an unexpected 31/10 win.

Sunderland survived a stay of execution with a battling 2-2 draw at Goodison Park. Everton went ahead after five minutes through Leon Osman but striker John Stead netted his first goal of the season to equalise on 16. James McFadden put the Toffees back in front 10 minutes later but Rory Delap secured a 7/2 draw 10 minutes from time.

Middlesbrough banished their relegation fears and are 10 points clear of the drop zone after a 1-0 win at Manchester City. Lee Cattermole scored his first senior goal for the club four minutes before half-time to seal an important 11/4 away win.

West Ham striker Teddy Sheringham was denied a late winner on his 40th birthday by an instinctive save by Charlton goalkeeper Thomas Myhre during their 0-0 draw. Sheringham had a late chance to snatch a 11/10 win but was denied by Myhre.