Arsenal maintain top position

English champions Arsenal secured a deserved 2-0 home win over Middlesbrough on Saturday to extend their lead at the top of the premier league.

England defender Sol Campbell netted with a header in first-half injury time and Robert Pires finished off the visitors with a low drive in the last minute. Boro had Australian Luke Wilkshire sent off after 73 minutes.

Goals from Eidur Gudjohnsen and Frank Lampard helped Chelsea move into second place with a comfortable 2-0 victory at home to Aston Villa. Third-placed Manchester United travel to Blackburn Rovers and Everton, in fifth, face sixth-placed Liverpool on Sunday.

Newcastle United moved into fourth with a 2-0 home win over Fulham, who had Pierre Wome sent off in the second half.

Bottom club West Ham United were denied a first home win of the season whens Bolton Wanderers hit back for a 1-1 draw, while West Browmich Albion threw away a two-goal lead to settle for a 2-2 draw at home to fellow strugglers Sunderland.