Gunners misfire at Bolton

Arsenal were punished for some slack defending in the 2-0 defeat at Bolton as champions Chelsea kept up the pace at the top of the Barclays Premiership with a 1-0 win over Middlesbrough.

When the Gunners failed to clear their lines after 20 minutes, Wanderers took advantage as Stelios Giannakopoulos picked up the loose ball on the left-hand side of the penalty area and lofted a cross back into the box, which Abdoulaye Faye jumped to head past Jens Lehmann.

Kevin Davies robbed the sauntering Gilberto and ran inside to feed Stelios who gleefully swept the ball home before the break.

Arsenal had a goal disallowed before the break and despite their best efforts in the second half, the Gunners could not fashion a comeback with talisman Thierry Henry left frustrated after hitting the post twice.

Champions Chelsea had to rely on a winner from their inspirational captain John Terry at Stamford Bridge.

The Blues dominated possession but Steve McClaren’s side held firm until the 61st minute when Terry pounced to stab home from close range after Damien Duff’s corner.

Newcastle manager Graeme Souness remains under pressure after his side could only draw 1-1 at home to Aston Villa – and were forced to rely on a large slice of luck to take a point.

Alan Shearer gave them a half-time lead after Liam Ridgewell handled in the box but former Sunderland midfielder Gavin McCann drove home an equaliser in the second half.

Villa could have snatched it when Titus Bramble conceded a penalty by fouling Milan Baros but Gareth Barry put his spot-kick over the bar.

Sunderland’s spirited performance against Tottenham in the capital was ultimately fruitless as they lost 3-2 at White Hart Lane.

Dean Whitehead produced a sublime 30-yard free-kick to put the Black Cats ahead but Sunderland were caught flat-footed when Robbie Keane crossed for Mido to score at the far post.

Keane forced his way towards goal and bundled the ball home to make it 2-1 but Sunderland drew level through Anthony Le Tallec’s first goal since August.

Keane had a penalty saved brilliantly by Ben Alnwick but Spurs claimed victory after Michael Carrick curled the ball home from the right of the goal.

James McFadden and Mikel Arteta helped Everton to a 2-0 win against Blackburn at Ewood Park after Rovers also had Andy Todd sent off for handling the ball deliberately.

Fulham captain Luis Boa Morte was sent off for two yellow cards as West Brom largely dominated at The Hawthorns but were held to a goalless draw. In the first half, Kanu’s scrambled effort was disallowed after he had the ball in the net.

In the day’s early kick-off, Peter Crouch finally ended his goal drought as Liverpool took their unbeaten record to eight matches.

Crouch’s 19th-minute on-target shot deflected off Leighton Baines and was helped into the net by Wigan keeper Mike Pollitt.

With his confidence soaring, Crouch lobbed home just before the break to make it 2-0 and there were no doubts whatsoever this one was his.

Luis Garcia added a third as Liverpool claimed their sixth Premiership win on the trot.