City run ends as Chelsea take over

Chelsea were not at their best but still take over at the summit ahead of City thanks to a narrow victory over Pompey at Stamford Bridge.

The visitors' Matt Taylor came close before Frank Lampard's shot on the half-hour from 18 yards had too much power for David James, who could only deflect it weakly into the net.

Gary O'Neil shot narrowly wide for the visitors early in the second period and Benjani also came close after bursting through on goal, while Ashley Cole headed off the line late on from Hermann Hreidarsson.

Arsenal came more into the clash at Emirates Stadium after City had the best of the early chances but Manuel Almunia was forced to save well at Emile Mpenza's feet just after the hour mark.

The Gunners then missed a gilt-edged chance to take the lead when Kasper Schmeichel saved Robin van Persie's penalty following Micah Richards' foul on Aleksandr Hleb, but Cesc Fabregas (80) blasted home at the near post from Hleb's pass to spare the Dutchman's blushes. Arsenal move up to fifth.

Two late goals left honours even between West Ham and Wigan at Upton Park.

The Hammers seized the initiative and had a good penalty appeal turned down for a foul on Mark Noble while Craig Bellamy's 'goal' was ruled out for offside before half-time.

But Wigan scored when Paul Scharner's well-placed overhead kick found the corner of the net in the 79th minute before Lee Bowyer finished from a tight angle two minutes later to leave it 1-1.

The result means Chris Hutchings' Latics lie third in the table.

Shaun Maloney scored in injury-time to hand Aston Villa a thrilling 2-1 win over Fulham at Villa Park.

The Cottagers went ahead in the fifth minute when the ball ricocheted into the path of Clint Dempsey who clipped home clinically into the top corner, while John Carew and Diomansy Kamara both hit the woodwork.

Villa claimed a merited leveller when Ashley Young's cross was deflected into his own goal by Zat Knight (50) and Chris Baird was then sent off for two bookings.

Birmingham won the clash of the promoted sides at Pride Park with a 2-1 triumph over Derby, who now slip to bottom.

The visitors went ahead after 32 seconds when Cameron Jerome shot across Stephen Bywater from a tight angle and Radhi Jaidi later hit the crossbar for Blues with a powerful header.

Matt Oakley (51) buried Eddie Lewis' far-post cross to level but Jerome's fine half-volley (63) put Steve Bruce's men back in front.

The pressure eased on Bolton boss Sammy Lee as his men claimed a 3-0 win over Reading at the Reebok Stadium.

Gary Speed (32) headed them in front from El-Hadji Diouf's corner and Nicolas Anelka's tap-in (55) after more good work from the Senegalese made things comfortable for Wanderers.

Daniel Braaten added a third in injury-time from Anelka's brilliant cross.