Premiership half-time review

Manchester United, who left Ruud van Nistelrooy, Paul Scholes and Ryan Giggs on the bench, took the lead against Everton after just nine minutes when Nicky Butt volleyed home from the edge of the penalty area.

Four minutes later Thomas Gravesen’s left-wing free-kick went in off Gary Neville, under pressure from Kevin Campbell.

But a minute before half-time Kleberson headed home Neville’s cross to deal a devastating blow to the visitors.

Former Liverpool skipper Sami Hyypia capitalised on a spell of sustained pressure to power home a header from Danny Murphy’s corner in the 30th minute - his first goal since May – to give the Reds a 1-0 lead at home to Bolton.

Birmingham’s previously tight defence conceded a 14th-minute goal to Robbie Fowler, who headed home Shaun Wright-Phillips’ cross from close range to give Manchester City a 1-0 half-time lead.

Blackburn took just three minutes to end Middlesbrough’s proud defensive Premier League record when Markus Babbel headed home a Brett Emerton corner - Boro’s first goal conceded in eight league games.

However, Michael Ricketts broke down the left and crossed for Juninho to equalise just after the half-hour.

Aston Villa striker Juan Pablo Angel had the ball in the net in the 34th minute at Elland Road but Leeds were relieved to see the effort ruled out for use of the hand and the score remained goalless at the interval.

The matches between Leicester and Newcastle, and Portsmouth and Tottenham also reached the interval at 0-0.

Arsenal returned to the top of the Premier League – although possibly only briefly – with a comfortable 3-0 win over bottom side Wolves after a brace from Thierry Henry.

The France striker struck in the 20th minute to give the Gunners a 2-0 half-time lead after the unfortunate Jody Craddock was credited with an own goal after getting in the way of Patrick Vieira’s goalbound effort.

Henry scored his 17th of the season a minute from the end to go two points ahead of pre-Christmas leaders Manchester United, who kicked off an hour after the Gunners had finished.

However, third-placed Chelsea were left stunned by an inspired Charlton who deservedly won 4-2 at The Valley.

Hermann Hreidarsson’s header after only 36 seconds was a warning of things to come and although John Terry levelled things up, Matt Holland gave the Addicks a half-time advantage.

Jonatan Johansson benefited from Paolo di Canio’s trickery to knock home a third from close range and Jason Euell fired in the fourth to put the game beyond the Chelsea millionaires, despite Eidur Gudjohnsen’s 73rd-minute strike.

The third of the early kick-offs saw Fulham move back up to fourth after a 2-0 win over previous incumbents Southampton as Manchester United target Louis Saha scored both goals.

He struck in the 19th and 63rd minutes, the latter from the penalty spot, to close the gap to Chelsea to 11 points.