Henry celebrates while scorer Wiltord is congratulated

That was enough to see Arsenal move closer to the leaders as the Gunners ended a run of three straight home defeats with a 1-0 win over Newcastle.

Sylvain Wiltord's 24th-minute goal extended Arsenal's remarkable scoring record to 52 Premiership games and Arsene Wenger's side had chances to make the game safe.

Dennis Bergkamp hit the post early on as the home side dominated, but Wiltord's first goal in 12 games was ultimately enough.

At lunchtime, Manchester City had claimed bragging rights in the their home city with a fine 3-1 win over Manchester United.

Nicolas Anelka opened the scoring for City on five minutes but United were level with their first attack three minutes later.

But a mistake by England defender Gary Neville allowed Shaun Goater in for the first of two goals which took him to 100 goals for City.

Parnaby of Middlesbrough is beaten in the air by Liverpool's Heskey

At Stamford Bridge, Eidur Gudjohnsen repaid Chelsea manager Claudio Ranieri's decision to restore him to the attack by scoring twice in a 3-0 win over Birmingham.

Gudjohnsen was preferred to teenager Carlton Cole and took only three minutes to break the deadlock.

The Icelander struck again on 31 minutes and a third from Gianfranco Zola on the stroke of half-time completed the rout.

Everton's impressive run continued as they climbed to fourth place with a narrow win over Charlton.

Thomas Radzinski's first-half strike proved enough for David Moyes' side, who leapfrog Manchester United in the Premiership table.

Gudjohnsen was back with a bang

Juan Pablo Angel hit his first goal of the season and substitute Marcus Allback claimed his first Premiership strike as Aston Villa recorded a much-needed 3-1 win over Fulham at Villa Park.

Luis Boa Morte also ended a season-long drought with his goal for Fulham but the Cottagers still crashed to a fourth successive Premiership defeat.

Oyvind Leonhardsen's volley, his first Premiership goal for two years, put the gloss on Villa's win.

Ten-man Bolton snatched a point at the Reebok Stadium thanks to Per Frandsen's late leveller.

Scott Dobie's goal for West Brom looked likely to make it another afternoon of misery for Sam Allardyce, who also saw Bruno N'Gotty sent off for an apparent elbow on Jason Roberts.

But Bolton, who have not won in the Premiership since their victory over Manchester United in September, refused to lie down and claimed a late point when Frandsen finished off a cross from Simon Charlton.

Blackburn also secured a late escape with 10 men as they denied Southampton a third Premiership win in four games.

Saints led through James Beattie's penalty, his fifth goal in as many games, and Blackburn looked down and out when Turkish midfielder Tugay saw red for a second booking.

But a fine display from goalkeeper Brad Friedel kept Rovers in touch and Graeme Souness's side snatched a draw with a late Andy Cole effort.