Sunderland's 1-0 victory over Liverpool came courtesy of Darren Bent's freakish eighth goal of the season.Darren Bent's strike hit a balloon which diverted it past goalkeeper Reina.While it was a freakish winner, the outcome of the game is an accurate measure of Sunderland's progress made under Steve Bruce.

Carson Yeung, the Hong Kong tycoon, a fan of slick passing football had been taught a painful lesson by one of the best in England as they were clinically out-played in this fixture.ARSENAL outclassed Birmingham City 2-0 in the Emirates Stadium. Robin van Persie and Abou Diaby goals put the Gunners into a 2-0 lead inside 18 minutes.

Manchester United had overtaken Chelsea as the Premier League leaders after their hard fought 2-1 victory over Bolton Wanderers at Old Trafford. Michael Owen and Antonio Valencia were United's goalscorers. Taylor scored a textbook header from a Kevin Davies cross.

Martin Laursen is gone but Aston Villa's set piece threat remains. Villa's "Twin Towers" were brilliant defensively and also scored two thunderous headers to win the game for the home side.Dunne and Collins goals propelled Aston Villa to joint third with Tottenham and Man City with 16 points.The 2-1 defeat in Villa Park would be a psychological blow to Chelsea, who had lost twice in as many away

James Beattie double give Stoke City a 2-1 win at home to West Ham.

RUSSIAN winger Diniyar Bilyaletdinov (how do you read his name?) grabbed a late equaliser to help Everton draw 1-1 against Wolves.Wolves took a 75th minute lead when Kevin Doyle netted his third of the season at Goodison Park.

Tottenham are now third in the table after a 1-2 win over Portsmouth in Fratton Park. Ledley King and Defoe were on the scoresheet for Spurs. Tottenham's old boy, Kevin-Prince Boateng, pulled a goal back for the Pompeys in the 59th minute.