England round-up: Pires strike sees off Liverpool

Stunning winner
The French midfield player scored the decisive goal midway through the second half, cutting in from the left and curling a shot beyond goalkeeper Jerzy Dudek and into the top corner. Worryingly for the home side, and for England, Michael Owen limped off injured four minutes later, picking up a shin problem after charging down an Ashley Cole clearance.

Kewell on target
The home side began the match the brighter, and took the lead through Harry Kewell in the 14th minute, the Australian midfield player scoring with a low left-foot shot from the edge of the penalty area.

Deflected equaliser
Liverpool enjoyed the majority of possession in the first 45 minutes, but were unable to convert a number of chances, with Kewell and Owen twice failing when well placed, and the visitors drew level just after the half-hour. Pires's cross was met by Brazilian midfield player Edu, whose header was deflected beyond his own goalkeeper by Sami Hyypiä.

Liverpool deflated
The second half continued in similar fashion, with Liverpool again seeing more of the ball, but Pires's stunning strike visibly deflated the home team, and Arsenal held on for an important win.

United into second
Manchester United FC moved into second place, a point behind Arsenal, with a 3-0 home victory against Birmingham City FC. United went ahead in the 36th minute when Maik Taylor brought down Paul Scholes inside the penalty area and Ruud van Nistelrooij scored from the spot after the Birmingham goalkeeper had been dismissed. Scholes added a second 12 minutes into the second half, with Ryan Giggs completing the win.

Decisive spell
Three quick goals gave Tottenham Hotspur FC a 3-0 success at home to Everton FC. Frédéric Kanouté opened the scoring two minutes before the interval, and early second-half efforts from Gustavo Poyet and Robbie Keane sealed the points.

Charlton comeback
Alan Shearer scored the only goal of the game a minute before half-time for Newcastle United FC at home to Southampton FC. Teddy Sheringham put Portsmouth FC in front against Charlton Athletic FC, but Jonathan Fortune levelled and Shaun Bartlett's added-time header gave the visitors the points.

Leeds hold on
Seth Johnson scored twice in the opening half-hour to help Leeds United AFC to a 2-1 win against Blackburn Rovers FC, whose late consolation came from Dino Baggio, while, despite Ian Walker's save from Steed Malbranque's penalty, two Luis Boa Morte goals gave Fulham FC three points against Leicester City FC.

First win
A Colin Cameron effort 15 minutes from time, meanwhile, gave bottom side Wolverhampton Wanderers FC a first league win of the season at home to Manchester City FC.

Chelsea chance
Chelsea FC can return to second place on Sunday with victory at Middlesbrough FC, while the day's other game pits Aston Villa FC against Bolton Wanderers FC.