England round-up: Henry sends Arsenal top

Arsenal FC moved top of the Premiership with a 2-1 win against Chelsea FC, inflicting a first league defeat on their big-spending opponents in the process.

Tight at the top
Chelsea began the day level with Arsenal on 20 points but above their London rivals by virtue of a superior goal difference. However, Claudio Ranieri's side had already been reaplced at the head of the stadings by the time they kicked off, Manchester United FC having moved to 22 points with a 1-0 win against Leeds United AFC earlier on Saturday.

Quick-fire start
Brazilian midfield player Edu gave Arsenal an early lead, scoring with a deflected free-kick in the fifth minute, but the visitors responded well and were level within three-minutes, Hernán Crespo finding the net with a spectacular long-range effort.

Goalkeeping error
Both sides had chances to win the game, but it was the home side who took a decisive 2-1 lead, as Chelsea goalkeeper Carlo Cudicini failed to gather Robert Pires's ball into the penalty area and Thierry Henry was on hand to score.

Late strike
A late winner from captain Roy Keane earned Manchester United the 1-0 win at Leeds that temporarily moved Sir Alex Ferguson's side top of the Premiership. The home side produced a spirited performance and looked on course to frustrate their traditional rivals only for Keane to leave them empty-handed, heading Gary Neville's cross into the net nine minutes from time.

Leeds under pressure
United were on top throughout, with Paul Scholes and Ruud van Nistelrooij both forcing Leeds goalkeeper Paul Robinson into action in the first period, while Scholes might have added a second after Keane's goal only to hit the crossbar from close range.

Berger boost
Liverpool FC slipped to a surprising defeat away at Portsmouth FC, with Czech Republic international midfield player Patrik Berger scoring the only goal of the game against his former club in the fourth minute.

Derby delight
Striker Shola Ameobi scored what proved to be the winning goal midway through the first half for Newcastle United FC away at north-east neighbours Middlesbrough FC, while Fulham FC were held to a goalless draw at home by Wolverhampton Wanderers FC.

Six for City
Manchester City FC fell behind to Kevin Nolan's goal at home to Bolton Wanderers FC, but Shaun Wright-Phillips quickly equalised before three goals in ten minutes from Sylvain Distin, Wright-Phillips again and Nicolas Anelka put the home side in charge. Iván Campo's thunderous long-range strike on the hour brought Bolton back into contention, but the home side remained on top despite the 62nd-minute dismissal of Wright-Phillips for a second bookable offence, Anelka adding another and Claudio Reyna rounding off the scoring six minutes from time.

Busy Sunday
Sunday sees another local derby when Birmingham City FC take on neighbours Aston Villa FC, while Leicester City FC play Tottenham Hotspur FC and Everton FC entertain Southampton FC. Blackburn Rovers FC will be seeking to bounce back from the disappointment of midwekk UEFA Cup elimination against Charlton Athletic FC on Monday night.