Weekend review

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Chelsea snatched a significant win over Premier League title rivals Manchester United, Arsenal rose to second as they triumphed at Wolves while Phil Brown's Hull City left it late to claim a much-needed three-point haul.

Elsewhere, Manchester City played out a six-goal thriller with Burnley at Eastlands, Everton returned to winning ways, as did Aston Villa and Tottenham Hotspur - the former in a more convincing manner than the latter - while an inspired double substitution helped Blackburn Rovers fight back against Portsmouth.

Chelsea and Manchester United's clash at Stamford Bridge was as anticipated a tight affair, with little separating the two English giants in terms of quality. It was the visitors, though, who, despite missing a number of key personnel, looked the most likely to vanquish their opponents. And had decisions over an offside and penalty appeal been given their way then the outcome could certainly have been different. Controversy also surrounded the game's only goal, which came with 14 minutes left on the clock.

Red Devils boss Sir Alex Ferguson has already voiced his displeasure at the award of the free-kick which led to the strike - he felt Darren Fletcher won the ball when challenging Ashley Cole. Then, when a combination of John Terry and Nicolas Anelka diverted the ball goalwards, striker Didier Drogba stood in offside position and was arguably interfering with play. But the goal stood and Chelsea held on to win. The result sees Carlo Ancelotti's men now five points clear at the summit after 12 games played. As for United, one pundit mused on a Sunday night television show that their quest for the title was heavily dented by a third loss of the season. However, when considering they have been defeated just once more than the Blues, perhaps that conclusion was premature. Furthermore, United typically grow into a campaign.

Arsenal had the chance to climb above United as they played 24 hours prior to the champions at Wolverhampton Wanderers. The Gunners endured a cagey opening 25 minutes before Alexandre Song's introduction coincided with an improvement in performance, with own goals from Ronald Zubar and Jody Craddock swinging the game in Arsenal's favour. A gorgeous team goal finished off by Cesc Fabregas put them 3-0 up before half-time. Andrey Arshavin added to the scoreline while Craddock bagged a late consolation. Gunners boss Arsene Wenger has always maintained his side are contenders for the title, and on current form it is impossible to disagree. Wolves, meanwhile, have slipped to second from bottom in the table and Chelsea away next up is hardly the fixture they desire.

The pressure was really on Hull to pick up a positive result in their fixture versus Stoke City. Things did not initially go to plan for Brown's home team when Matthew Etherington broke the deadlock on 29 minutes. However, Jimmy Bullard's return to fitness has come at a welcome time for the Tigers, and, driven on by the likeable midfielder, Hull levelled via a peach of a strike from Seyi Olofinjana. A dramatic comeback was complete in second-half injury-time when Thomas Sorensen poorly spilled a Bullard shot, allowing Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink to send the supporters at the KC Stadium overcome with relief. The result takes Hull out of the drop zone, while Potters manager Tony Pulis will be frustrated that his men have thrown away 12 points from leading positions this term.

Manchester City continue to fail to convince that they will fulfil their ambitious ambitions this campaign after they drew a fifth game on the spin. Defensively there are issues for Mark Hughes' charges, as they went 2-0 down at home versus usual away day strugglers Burnley, via goals from Graham Alexander and Steven Fletcher. What City lack in solidarity at the back, they do almost make up for when going forward. Strikes from Shaun Wright-Phillips and Kolo Toure restored parity before Craig Bellamy completed the turnaround. But with three minutes left to play substitute Kevin McDonald scored a dramatic equaliser to earn Burnley their first point on the road this season. With Villa and Spurs returning to winning ways, this was a poor weekend for City.

Aston Villa were in rampant mood versus a Bolton Wanderers outfit intent on defending pretty horribly. Goals from Ashley Young, Gabriel Agbonlahor, John Carew, James Milner and Carlos Cuellar helped Villa record a 5-1 victory at Villa Park. Martin O'Neill's side sit an impressive fifth in the standings. The Trotters, who have conceded 13 goals in their last three outings, could only muster a solitary reply courtesy of Johan Elmander. Speaking after the game, Bolton manager Gary Megson chastised his players and warned of changes ahead of their next fixture versus Blackburn. With Bolton a point above the relegation zone, that earlier improvement in form is in danger of being undone and the pressure is again mounting on Megson, as it did after the opening three matches of the season.

After losing back-to-back games, Tottenham Hotspur were 2-0 victors in their match versus Sunderland. Spurs boss Harry Redknapp admitted his side were not at their best and that he had goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes to thank for helping grind out the success. Former Tottenham striker Darren Bent had a penalty shout turned down in the first half after Robbie Keane had given the home side the lead. Bent was awarded a spot-kick in the second period which he saw saved by Gomes, who Steve Bruce felt should have been dismissed for being the last man when fouling said striker. Despite Sunderland continuing to create chances, Tottenham wrapped up the win thanks to Tom Huddlestone's cracking effort. Sunderland are now three games without a win, while previous criticism in Spurs' direction was relatively bonkers, with the club just three points behind United.

While Blackburn have been dreadful on the road this season - they have not won on their travels - their home form has offered boss Sam Allardyce a slice of comfort. Their 3-1 win over bottom-of-the-table Portsmouth took their points tally accrued at Ewood Park to 13 for the term. But they were given a fright against Paul Hart's men, when Jamie O'Hara put yet another long-range effort past goalkeeper Paul Robinson. Pascal Chimbonda was then lucky not to be sent off, before Allardyce rung the changes at half-time; he threw on Benni McCarthy and Jason Roberts in a bid to alter their fortunes. And with just eight minutes of the second half played, Roberts poked Rovers level. Ryan Nelsen then made it 2-1 before Roberts scored his second of the game and Blackburn's third to send Allardyce celebrating on the touchline, albeit in an embarrassing manner.

Everton claimed their first win in eight matches in all competitions on Sunday. Louis Saha continued his fine goalscoring form (that's nine in total for the term) as he fired the Toffees in front on 27 minutes against West Ham at Upton Park. Dan Gosling seemingly wrapped up the game for Everton in the second half, but a minute later defender Tony Hibbert's wild swipe of an off-the-line clearance pulled one back for the Hammers. But, despite Alessandro Diamanti's best efforts, West Ham could not find a leveller, and they fell to defeat having earned their first home league win of the campaign during midweek. The result rather than the performance will no doubt have pleased David Moyes, while West Ham's trip to Hull in a fortnight can be considered a six-pointer.

Lastly, Wigan Athletic's meeting with Fulham at the DW Stadium ended in a 1-1 draw. Emmerson Boyce lashed the Latics in front only for Clint Dempsey to restore parity from the penalty spot before half-time. Wigan poured forward in search of a winner but they could not find a second way past the inspired Mark Schwarzer. Fulham are now unbeaten in an excellent five games, while Wigan's inability to string positive results together will be cause for concern for Roberto Martinez.