Aston Villa shot to the top of the English Premiership today with a win over Bolton after Leeds were denied victory against Manchester United by a last-gasp Ole Gunnar Solskjaer goal.
John Gregory's side recovered from going a goal down to end Bolton's recent run of giant-killing with a 3-2 victory at Villa Park.
In-form Michael Ricketts scored twice for Bolton but a double strike from Colombian international Juan-Pablo Angel and an effort from Darius Vassell gave the Birmingham side the three points.
Villa now lead the Premiership by one point from Leeds, who had appeared to be on course for a hard-earned win at Old Trafford earlier today after Australian forward Mark Viduka netted on 77 minutes.
But Norwegian supersub Solskjaer came to United's rescue for the umpteenth time in his career, heading home a Ryan Giggs cross on 88 minutes to make it 1-1.
Arsenal meanwhile missed the chance to go top after they were held 1-1 away to Sunderland. Patrick Vieira was the culprit for the Gunners, sending a second-half penalty flying over the bar at the Stadium of Light.
Earlier former Arsenal midfielder Stefan Schwarz had levelled the score for Sunderland, crashing home a superb volley after out-of-favour Nigerian international Nwankwo Kanu had given Arsenal the lead.
Liverpool continued their recent run of good form with a 2-0 victory away at Charlton that saw England star striker Michael Owen mark his return from injury with a goal.
Owen, who has not played since tearing a hamstring last month, chipped in in the first half to make it 2-0 after Jamie Redknapp had fired the Reds into the lead on 13 minutes to celebrate his 250th appearance in style.
At Craven Cottage, Fulham notched only their second victory of the season to see off struggling Southampton 2-1.
French midfielder Steed Malbranque got on the end of a cross from compatriot Steve Marlet to make it 1-0. Saints striker James Beattie levelled but Malbranque restored the Cottagers' lead with a volley.
Meanwhile on Merseyside, Bobby Robson's Newcastle recorded a 3-1 victory against Everton after a bizarre first-half goal gave the Magpies the lead at Goodison Park.
Everton 'keeper Paul Gerrard rushed out to gather a Nolberto Solano long ball but misjudged the bounce horribly and collided with centre-half Abel Xavier, leaving Craig Bellamy to guide the ball into empty net.
Solano made it 2-0 to the visitors but Everton came back into the game through David Weir on 50 minutes. Newcastle made sure of the points with a Clarence Acuna goal in the 86th minute.
At White Hart Lane, Tottenham handed manager Glenn Hoddle the perfect birthday present with a spirited performance to overcome Middlesbrough 2-1.
Alen Boksic volleyed 'Boro ahead in the ninth minute but the Londoners levelled from the spot through skipper Teddy Sheringham on 58 minutes after Middlesbrough's French defender Frank Queudrue brought down Spurs' Mauricio Taricco.
Three minutes later Spurs were in front through veteran forward Les Ferdinand, the former England international using all his experience to get goalside of the Boro defence and finish cleverly. -AFP