Premier League round-up

Wins for Arsenal, United, Everton and Pompey

Last updated: 30th November 2008   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Premier League round-up

Van Persie celebrates

Click on the links below for individual match reports and stats:
Man City 0 Man Utd 1
Portsmouth 3 Blackburn 2
Spurs 0 Everton 1
Chelsea 1 Arsenal 2

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Arsenal are back in the title race after a stunning win at leaders Chelsea as Wayne Rooney's 100th career goal settled the Manchester derby.

Tony Adams enjoyed his first home win as Portsmouth manager, while David Moyes celebrated his 300th game as Everton boss with a narrow victory at Tottenham.

Robin van Persie struck twice in the second half as Arsenal came from behind to win 2-1 at Chelsea, whose stuttering form at Stamford Bridge continues.

Despite a nervy opening, Arsenal could have snatched the lead, but former Chelsea defender William Gallas was unable to reach the loose ball after Petr Cech had parried.

Chelsea took the lead in fortunate circumstances on 31 minutes when Jose Bosingwa's low cross was turned past his own keeper by Johan Djourou.

The leaders failed to build on their advantage and were punished for their failure to test Manuel Almunia when Van Persie scored twice inside three second-half minutes.

There was an element of controversy about the equaliser on 59 minutes when Denilson played the ball through to Van Persie, who looked two yards offside.

The Dutch striker did not flinch, however, and smacked an unstoppable right-foot shot into the top corner.

And three minutes later, Van Persie swivelled to send a low left-footed attempt beyond Cech after Emmanuel Adebayor had knocked down a free-kick to leave Arsenal seven points behind their London rivals.

Manchester United showed how far local rivals City still have to go to become a major force after the champions won 1-0 in the 150th derby.

The reigning champions dominated the first half at the City of Manchester Stadium as Mark Hughes' men put in a surprisingly lacklustre shift.

Yet, for all City being off the pace, they could have nicked an opening goal when Stephen Ireland's shot - after a poor punch by Edwin van der Sar - clipped the outside of the post.

United grabbed the decisive goal three minutes before half-time when Michael Carrick's shot was pushed out by Joe Hart to provide Rooney with a simple tap-in.

City emerged a more determined side in the second half and were given a helping hand on 68 minutes when Cristiano Ronaldo picked up his second yellow card after inexplicably raising his hands to stop Rooney's corner.

Ronaldo, who had been cautioned moments earlier for a foul on Shaun Wright-Phillips, claimed to have heard a whistle, but referee Howard Webb was non-plussed.

In injury-time, Patrice Evra cleared Richard Dunne's effort off the line before Rooney's ambitious long-range attempt was pushed away by the retreating Hart.

Harry Redknapp suffered his first home defeat as Spurs boss as Steven Pienaar's goal earned Everton a 1-0 win at White Hart Lane.

Everton's away-day joy was marred by an early injury to Yakubu, with the Nigerian striker to miss the rest of the season with a ruptured Achilles tendon.

The only goal arrived six minutes into the second half after Pienaar received a quickly-taken free-kick and his shot took a wicked deflection to fizz beyond a helpless Heurelho Gomes.

Portsmouth provided Adams with his first three points at Fratton Park after a thrilling 3-2 victory over struggling Blackburn.

All the action came in the second half as Pompey took the lead on 49 minutes when Glen Johnson's cross was headed home by Peter Crouch.

Pompey increased their lead just four minutes later when Niko Kranjcar released Jermain Defoe and the fit-again striker drilled a low shot past Paul Robinson.

But Blackburn rallied and pulled a goal back on 62 minutes when substitute Matt Derbyshire made an immediate impact as his header looped over David James.

And just five minutes later, Rovers were level as Tugay strode forward and drove a low shot beyond James and inside the post from 25 yards.

Rovers could not hold on, however, as Pompey snatched a winner on 79 minutes after Papa Bouba Diop's shot was saved and the ball eventually broke for Sean Davis to lift over Robinson.