England round-up: Arsenal back on top

Arsenal FC returned to the top of the English Premiership after a day's absence as they won 2-1 at home to Everton FC.

Cygan header
Manchester United FC had overtaken Arsenal on Saturday, but the London side, who were knocked out of the UEFA Champions League at Valencia CF this week, responded by going ahead in the eighth minute through a header from defender Pascal Cygan.

Vieira denies visitors
Wayne Rooney - who ended Arsenal's long unbeaten run earlier this season with a spectacular winner at Goodison Park - equalised for Everton eleven minutes into the second half with a shot from the edge of the area. But eight minutes later Patrick Vieira restored the home side's lead, and even the introduction of striker Duncan Ferguson after six months out with injury could not save the visitors.

Liverpool on course
In-form Liverpool FC beat troubled Leeds United AFC 3-1 to move up ahead of Everton into fifth place. Liverpool overcame the disappointment of exiting the UEFA Cup on Thursday to secure their third league win in a row, beating a Leeds side who dismissed manager Terry Venables on Friday. Peter Reid is in charge at Leeds until the end of the season, but his first 20 minutes at the helm saw his side fall two behind to a goal from Michael Owen and a long-range Danny Murphy strike.

Gerrard clincher
Mark Viduka then twice went close for Leeds before pulling one back three minutes before half-time. However, despite Emile Heskey missing an open goal not long after the break, Liverpool secured the points with Steven Gerrard's 73rd-minute volley. They now lie two points behind Chelsea FC in the race for the fourth Champions League place. Leeds are 16th, five points off the relegation zone.