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| Patrick Vieira can’t believe his luck after opening the scoring against Sunderland (© Reuters) |
Liverpool returned to the top of the table and Arsenal maintained their challenge as the Premiership rivals responded to Manchester United's win earlier in the day with comfortable home victories.
Liverpool beat Charlton Athletic 2-0 at Anfield while Arsenal scored twice in the first four minutes on their way to a 3-0 triumph over a ragged Sunderland side at Highbury.
Gerard Houllier's side have 68 points, one ahead of second-placed United, who briefly regained the leadership after beating Leeds United 4-3 at Elland Road. Arsene Wenger's Arsenal are a further point behind but have two games in hand on the top two.
Sunderland's capitulation left them fifth-from-bottom as Bolton Wanderers eased their relegation worries with a 3-2 victory over Aston Villa, and Chelsea beat Derby County 2-1.
Bottom club Leicester City's 2-1 win over Blackburn left Rovers one place above the drop zone, but Ipswich Town stayed in the bottom three after losing 3-1 at West Ham United.