Gerrard gaffe hands Arsenal victory

A disastrous backpass from Liverpool FC captain Steven Gerrard handed Arsenal FC maximum points at Highbury. With six minutes remaining, Gerrard passed the ball straight to Thierry Henry, who rounded goalkeeper José Manuel Reina and slotted his second goal to seal a 2-1 win.

Arsenal dominance
It was just reward for Arsenal, who had dominated throughout and went ahead through Henry, before Luis García snatched an unlikely equaliser on 75 minutes. Liverpool finished the game with ten men, after Xabi Alonso was sent off for a second bookable offence.

Precise finish
After scoring the decisive goal in the Gunners' UEFA Champions League tie against Real Madrid CF, Henry was on the scoresheet again in the 21st minute. The precocious 18-year-old, Cesc Fabregas, weighted a perfect through ball to the Frenchman, who cut in from the left side, opened his body and sent a powerful side-footed finish into the far corner.

García equaliser
Despite their domination and exuberance, Arsenal failed to add a second, with Emmanuel Adebayor and Henry both missing chances to put the result beyond doubt. They were punished for their profligacy when García followed up after Jens Lehmann could only parry a long-range Gerrard effort. But the England midfielder's brainstorm handed the London side a reprieve, and allowed them to move within two points of Tottenham Hotspur FC in fourth place, while Liverpool stay third.

Rooney double
Two goals in the first twelve minutes from Wayne Rooney saw Manchester United FC ease to a 2-0 Premiership win against Newcastle United FC at Old Trafford. The England striker opened the scoring with a deft lob on eight minutes, before doubling the lead shortly afterwards. He could have completed his hat-trick in the second half after rounding Newcastle goalkeeper Shay Given, but his shot hit the post.

Middlesbrough undone
An under-strength Middlesbrough FC fell 2-1 to Charlton Athletic FC at The Valley, with all three goals coming in the last 20 minutes. Manager Steve McClaren made nine changes to the side that started Thursday's UEFA Cup match against AS Roma, and the visitors fell behind to a Darren Bent header on 73 minutes. Mark Viduka levelled ten minutes from time, but there was still time for Bent to claim the points for Charlton from close range.