Played on Sunday:
MANCHESTER UNITED 3 CHELSEA 0
United racked up an eighth consecutive clean sheet in the league as their title challenge revved up with a demolition job on one of their main rivals.
They took the lead in first-half stoppage time when Nemanja Vidic headed in a re-taken corner from Ryan Giggs after the winger's initial set piece had resulted in a disallowed goal for Cristiano Ronaldo.
Wayne Rooney made it 2-0 around the hour mark with a volley from Patrice Evra's cross and Dimitar Berbatov completed the rout late on. It was Chelsea's first away defeat of the season in the league.
WIGAN ATHLETIC 1 TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR 0
Tottenham ended the weekend in the bottom three after Maynor Figueroa's stoppage time winner made it six wins from seven league matches for high-flying Wigan.
A dreadful game produced little in the way of chances for either side before the Honduran defender came up for a corner and planted a header past Heurelho Gomes.
Played on Saturday:
ARSENAL 1 BOLTON WANDERERS 0
A match that resembled attack versus defence for large periods seemed to be heading for frustration for the Gunners before substitute Nicklas Bendtner struck late on.
The Dane slid in at the back post to convert Dutchman Robin van Persie's cross to the huge relief of the vast majority inside the Emirates. Van Persie had earlier hit the post.
Despite their dominance, Arsenal almost conceded an equaliser seconds later when Bolton striker Kevin Davies shot straight at Manuel Almunia.
ASTON VILLA 2 WEST BROMWICH ALBION 1
Villa took advantage of champions Manchester United not playing until Sunday to climb temporarily into third place despite a far from vintage display against the bottom club.
Curtis Davies headed Villa in front against the run of play after 19 minutes and a dreadful piece of goalkeeping from Scott Carson made it 2-0 at halftime, the England intrnational fumbling a Gabriel Agbonlahor shot into the net.
James Morrison pulled a goal back for West Brom early in the second half.
EVERTON 2 HULL CITY 0
Hull City's early-season heroics now look a distant memory as they tumbled to a fourth consecutive defeat.
Marouane Fellaini headed Everton in front after 18 minutes and Mikel Arteta scored with a superb free kick in first-half stoppage time to leave Hull reeling.
Everton are now cemented in the top six and have a four-point lead over seventh-placed Wigan Athletic.
MIDDLESBROUGH 1 SUNDERLAND 1
Middlesbrough's hopes of a long-awaited league win were dashed when Kenwyne Jones grabbed a late equaliser for Sunderland in the north east derby.
Boro, who last claimed three points two months ago, were given a halftime lead by Brazilian striker Afonso Alves.
