Weekend review

Torres: Outmuscled Rio Ferdinand for opening goal

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Liverpool's victory over Manchester United ensured a change in mood on Merseyside while Chelsea climbed to the Premier League summit in emphatic circumstances.

Elsewhere on another top-flight weekend of twists and turns, Arsenal were made to rue two points dropped against West Ham United, Manchester City also let a two-goal lead slip while Stoke City pulled off a smash-and-grab at Tottenham Hotspur.

Sunday's game at Anfield was billed as a decisive one for Reds manager Rafa Benitez, who headed into the clash having lost four games on the spin. Benitez was without the injured Steven Gerrard but Fernando Torres' return to fitness proved a timely boost for the under pressure Spanish coach.

After several inflatables were cleared from the field of play, the action began with Liverpool much on top for the first 45 minutes. United's failure to retain possession worked to the Reds' advantage and in the second period a moment of brilliance from both Yossi Benayoun and Torres saw United fall a goal behind. Torres continues to astound with his quality in front of goal. Few are better.

United brought on Michael Owen in a bid to level and the former Liverpool striker had Jamie Carragher sweating when he got the wrong side of the defender. But, to the horror of Sir Alex Ferguson, referee Andre Marriner only dished out a yellow card before handing Nemanja Vidic a second booking of the game moments later. There was still time for Javier Mascherano to be dismissed before substitute David Ngog wrapped up the win. This is not quite game on for the Reds in terms of the title race, but it is a dramatic turnaround for Benitez following the events of recent weeks.

On Saturday, Chelsea moved back top of the table after their 5-0 humiliation of Blackburn Rovers. An unfortunate Gael Givet own goal broke the deadlock for the Blues in the first half. And after the interval the floodgates opened as Carlo Ancelotti's side bagged four goals in the space of 18 minutes. Frank Lampard continued his return to goalscoring ways with a brace, Michael Essien got in on the act with a speculative effort and Didier Drogba nodded home from a corner. The result proved another harsh away day for Blackburn, who conceded six at Arsenal a fortnight ago. For the Blues, this was a major boost to their goal difference, which could prove decisive during this unpredictable campaign while Joe Cole's first start since January was a major fillip.

Chelsea's performance was one Arsenal could have learnt from. The Gunners, without really performing exceptionally, went 2-0 up at West Ham United via Robin van Persie and William Gallas thanks to two goalkeeping errors from Robert Green. A triumph seemed assured, meaning Arsenal could go top if they won their game in hand. However, in seemingly inevitable Gunners behaviour, the visitors demonstrated naivety. The struggling Hammers battled and equalised when Vito Mannone parried into the path of Carlton Cole. The comeback was completed on 80 minutes courtesy of an iffy penalty decision that preceded Alessandro Diamanti lashing home. Only then did Arsenal wake up, while Scott Parker was sent off, but it proved too little, too late for Arsene Wenger's men.

Manchester City were also guilty of not finishing off the job in their home fixture with Fulham. Joleon Lescott handed City the lead before Martin Petrov gave Mark Hughes' charges a two-goal advantage. However, Fulham, who drew with Roma on Thursday, refused to be beaten. First Damien Duff rifled a low show past Shay Given and then with 22 minutes remaining Clint Dempsey headed the leveller in off the post. Like Wenger, Hughes will be frustrated to have let points slip on a weekend of upsets elsewhere. Roy Hodgson, though, will be delighted by the grit shown by his players.

It was also a disappointing weekend for Tottenham, which in turn meant it was a joyous one for Stoke. The Potters put in a backs-to-the-wall display at White Hart Lane with shot-stopper Steve Simonsen, who was told he was to replace regular No.1 Thomas Sorensen only minutes before kick-off, in fine form to help keep Spurs at bay. Harry Redknapp's side simply could not find the back of the net and Aaron Lennon's injury meant they had to play the final 10 minutes with as many men, it seemed written that a sucker-punch was in the offing. And so it came via Glenn Whelan. Redknapp admitted it was one of those days, while the Potters' improving guts on the road is a warning to their future opponents who might presume they only shine at the Britannia Stadium.

Sunderland manager Steve Bruce returned to his old stamping ground hopeful his side could build on their scalp against Liverpool last time out. But Birmingham City proved tough opposition at St Andrew's as Alex McLeish's decision to play two up front paid dividends. The Black Cats, without the injured and influential Lee Cattermole, reiterated their habit of inconsistency as Liam Ridgewell and a fine goal from James McFadden put the Blues 2-0 up. Sunderland did respond through a Scott Dann own goal, but Birmingham held on for a deserved and much-needed three-point haul.

Burnley'sunbeaten record at Turf Moor came to an end versus Wigan Athletic. Things appeared to be going according to plan for the Clarets when Steven Fletcher broke the deadlock after just four minutes. But when goalkeeper Brian Jensen went down injured to allow the promising Huge Rodallega to tap home, the game swung in the Latics' favour. Substitute keeper Diego Penny could do little about Rodallega's excellent second before Emmerson Boyce sealed the success for Roberto Martinez's team. Burnley will be eager to return to winning ways on home soil when they host Hull City in their next Premier League match.

Of Hull, their encounter with fellow strugglers Portsmouth ended in a 0-0 stalemate; a result which does neither side any real favours. Pompey arguably had the better of the game but were made to rue a lack of a clinical nature in front of goal. Paul Hart's side have hit the back of the net just five times in their 10 outings this term. Shooting drills are surely the order of the day for Hart's players this week. Tigers boss Phil Brown will have taken heart from a rare clean sheet but the pressure continues to weigh heavy on the manager's towel-draped shoulders.

Bolton Wanderers and Everton played out a five-goal thriller at the Reebok Stadium with the former coming out on top. Lee Chung-Yong and Gary Cahill put the Trotters two in front but Louis Saha's awesome strike before half-time handed the Toffees a lifeline. And Marouane Fellaini drew his side level with an excellent goal in the second period to set up a tense finale. Substitute Ivan Klasnic was to be the hero for Bolton as he bagged with just four minutes remaining to leave the club with an excellent return of 11 points from their last six matches.

Lastly, in the first game of the weekend, Wolverhampton Wanderers battled for a 1-1 draw against their Midlands rivalsAston Villa. In a dogged encounter, Gabriel Agbonlahor handed Villa a 79th minute lead. But Wolves hit back four minutes later when Steve Sidwell felled Michael Kightly in the penalty area. Sylvan Ebanks-Blake duly obliged from the spot to ensure the spoils were shared. The result leaves Wolves a point above the relegation zone while Villa dropped to seventh.