Liverpool stay on top, Chelsea keep in touch

Chelsea, one point behind, won 2-0 at Bolton Wanderers with goals from former Bolton striker Nicolas Anelka and a spectacular bicycle kick from Deco. The victory was Chelsea’s 11th successive away win, eclipsing the record of 10 straight wins on the road set by Tottenham Hotspur in 1960.

Arsenal moved up to third on 29 points after beating visitors Wigan Athletic 1-0 with a first-half goal from Emmanuel Adebayor. Arsenal hit the woodwork twice but had to endure a tense finale at the Emirates after Wigan stormed forward looking for the equaliser.

Ray of hope

Roque Santa Cruz had given Blackburn a glimmer of hope four minutes from time against Liverpool when he headed home to make the score 2-1 but it was not enough to stop them slumping to a fifth straight league defeat.

Rovers manager Ince, whose future has come under intense media speculation, told Sky Sports News he was delighted with his team’s performance.

Elsewhere, Fulham drew 1-1 with Manchester City in the early game, Newcastle United were held 2-2 by Stoke City after leading 2-0 with two first-half Michael Owen goals and Hull City beat Middlesbrough 2-1 with all three goals in the last 11 minutes.

Newcastle seemed to be coasting to victory against Stoke, but the visitors grabbed a point after Mamady Sidibe pulled one back on the hour and former Newcastle defender Abdoulaye Faye equalised in the last minute.