Chelsea FC responded to Manchester United FC's 5-0 victory against Portsmouth FC on Saturday with a 2-0 triumph over Arsenal FC that returned the Blues to the top of the table.

Arsenal were keen for redemption after losing 3-1 to United last weekend but found themselves on the back foot at Stamford Bridge after just eight minutes. It was Drogba, scorer of Chelsea's goal in their midweek draw with Hull City AFC, who latched on to John Terry's flick-on from a corner to poke home at the back post and put the hosts ahead. His 17th Premier League goal of the season came a quarter of an hour later courtesy of a typically robust run down the right that tied Gaël Clichy and Thomas Vermaelen in knots. An equally trademark bludgeoned finish followed, and though the damage had already been done, the Ivorian was unfortunate not to complete his hat-trick when his late free-kick came back off the crossbar.

West Midlands rivals Birmingham City FC and Wolverhampton Wanderers FC had met in the day's earlier derby, when Alex McLeish's side triumphed from a goal down. Kevin Doyle pounced on a Matthew Jarvis shot that had deflected off both Roger Johnson and a post to put Wolves in front three minutes before the break. However, substitute Kevin Phillips drew Birmingham level ten minutes from time via a sharp finish and completed the turnaround with five minutes remaining by virtue of an adroit volley having controlled smartly on his chest. Wolves remain second bottom, while Birmingham are eighth.