Edu extends Arsenal advantage

Arsenal FC opened up a seven-point lead in the Premiership, coming from behind to win 2-1 at third-placed Chelsea FC while Manchester United FC were held at home by Leeds United AFC.

First-minute lead
Chelsea made the perfect start at Stamford Bridge, taking the lead after just 27 seconds. Arsenal captain Patrick Vieira lost possession and Geremi burst down the Chelsea left. His cross was flicked on by Adrian Mutu and Eidur Gudjohnsen was on hand to drive in at the far post.

Perfect pass
However, the leaders rallied strongly and were level in the 15th minute. Dennis Bergkamp's perceptive through-ball split the Chelsea defence and Vieira strode clear to equalise.

Edu on the spot
Six minutes later, Arsenal were in front. Chelsea goalkeeper Neil Sullivan failed to gather a corner, and Arsenal's Brazilian midfield player Edu was perfectly placed to capitalise.

Chelsea fade
The home side strove hard for a way back into the match, but their task was made even formidable on the hour as Gudjohnsen was dismissed for a second yellow card. Arsenal held on to extend their unbeaten league record to 26 games, while it is now 17 matches since Chelsea defeated their London rivals.

United pressure
At Old Trafford, Manchester United pressed Leeds back from the start, with Mikaël Silvestre having an early effort cleared off the line, and Ryan Giggs' strike grazing a post. However, the visitors defended stoutly, and held firm until half-time.

Smith strikes
The introduction of Roy Keane seemed to galvanise the home side, who took the lead four minutes past the hour as Paul Scholes took advantage of an error from young Leeds goalkeeper Scott Carson. However, just three minutes later Leeds hit back, Alan Smith heading in Dider Domi's cross to earn a valuable point.

Derby delight
Alan Shearer's late penalty moved Newcastle United FC into fourth place as the home side came from a goal down to defeat north-east rivals Middlesbrough FC 2-1, while goalkeeper Brad Friedel seemed to have earned Blackburn Rovers FC a draw at Charlton Athletic FC with a last-minute equaliser, only for Charlton's Claus Jensen to secure a 3-2 win almost immediately.

Strugglers success
Wolverhampton Wanderers FC moved off the bottom and above Leeds, Carl Cort scoring the winner in a 2-1 win against Fulham FC, and Robbie Fowler scored twice in Manchester City FC's crucial 3-1 win at Bolton Wanderers FC - City's first league victory for 15 games. Finally, late goals from James Beattie and Fabrice Fernandes earned Southampton FC a 3-3 draw with Everton FC, for whom Wayne Rooney scored twice.