Premier League review:Manchester United pulled five points clear at the Barclays Premier League summit after Dimitar Berbatov's late strike lifted Alex Ferguson's side to hard-fought 1-0 win over Bolton at Old Trafford.
With Arsenal dropping points in their game at West Brom, the result was the perfect tonic for Ferguson in the week that he was handed a five-game ban for comments made after the recent loss to Chelsea.
United did it the hard way after being reduced to 10 men on 76 minutes when Jonny Evans saw red for an ugly lunge on Bolton’s Stuart Holden.
But the hosts regrouped and claimed all the points when Berbatov capitalised on a horrendous spill by Bolton keeper Jussi Jaaskelainen to tuck home the winner two minutes from time.
Arsenalhave suffered a miserable few weeks with defeat in the Carling Cup final followed by exits from both the Champions League and FA Cup, and today it was the turn of their league form to suffer as West Bromheld them to a 2-2 draw at the Hawthorns.
Steven Reid fired Roy Hodgson’s hosts into a third-minute lead to the delight of the home faithful, and their surprise turned to disbelief on 58 minutes when confusion in the Arsenal defence paved the way for Peter Odemwingie to tuck home the Baggies’ second.
Andrey Arshavin sparked the fightback when he pulled one back for Arsenal after 70 minutes, and the comeback was completed eight minutes later when Robin van Persie fired home.
Séamus Coleman and Louis Saha struck as David Moyes began his 10th year as Evertonmanager as his started his first, by beating Fulham.
Coleman ignited a hitherto drab affair at Goodison Park with a well-placed header 10 minutes before the break.
Former Fulham striker Louis Saha doubled the Toffees' lead from a free-kick early in the second half but a Clint Dempsey strike prevented the home side easing to victory.
Relegation-threatened Wolvesboosted their hopes of beating the drop as they ran out 1-0 winners against Aston Villacourtesy of Matt Jarvis' well-taken volley after 38 minutes.
Mick McCarthy’s men were comfortably in command of the match at Villa Park throughout, and also saw efforts by Christophe Berra and Kevin Doyle chalked off by the referee.
Wiganalso claimed a priceless win in their relegation battle as Roberto Martinez's men beat Birmingham2-1 at the DW Stadium.
Birmingham took the lead through Liam Ridgewell after six minutes, but Wigan clawed themselves level on 25 minutes when Tom Cleverley tapped home after good work down the wing by Emmerson Boyce.
The Latics sealed the points two minutes into stoppage time when Maynor Figueroa crashed home the winner from long range.
Blackpool's hopes of beating the drop took a hit as they threw away a two-goal lead to draw 2-2 against Blackburnat Ewood Park.
Ian Holloway’s men went ahead through a Charlie Adam penalty on 25 minutes and the Scotland international doubled his tally with a delightful free-kick just four minutes later .
Christopher Samba pulled one back for Steve Kean’s hosts four minutes after the restart and the fightback was completed in dramatic fashion when Junior Hoilett nodded home deep into stoppage time.
Stokewere emphatic 4-0 winners against Newcastleat the Britannia Stadium, Jonathan Walters grabbing the opening goal for the hosts after 28 minutes and Jermaine Pennant adding the second a minute into the second half.
Danny Higginbotham added a third from a free-kick after 49 minutes and Ricardo Fuller wrapped up the scoring late on as Alan Pardew’s Magpies meekly surrendered.
In the day's early kick-off, Tottenhamsuffered a frustrating afternoon in front of goal as they missed the chance to pull level on points with fourth-placed Chelsea after being held to a goalless draw by West Ham.
Michael Dawson, Gareth Bale and Aaron Lennon all rattled the woodwork and Jermain Defoe was guilty of missing several good opportunities to break the deadlock as the hosts dominated.
