Scholes fires United back to top

Paul Scholes marked his 500th club appearance with the opening goal and Rio Ferdinand scored the other as Manchester United FC defeated Liverpool FC to reclaim the Premiership lead from Chelsea FC.

Scholes landmark
The 31-year-old Scholes struck his 132nd United goal in the 39th minute, forcing a shot past Pepe Reina at the second attempt after Ryan Giggs found him unmarked right in front of goal. Liverpool started with five midfielders as Dirk Kuyt operated as a lone striker and he had the visitors' best opportunity in the first half but could only direct his close-range header at fellow Dutchman Edwin van der Sar from a superb Mark González cross.

Ferdinand cracker
Ferdinand extended United's lead in the 66th minute with a beautifully-taken strike at the Stretford End. Liverpool were under pressure when Jamie Carragher, struggling with injury, sliced an attempted clearance high inside his own penalty area and Ferdinand showed great control and skill to bring the ball down with his right foot before blasting it into the top corner with his left. United and Chelsea each have 22 points, eleven more than Liverpool.

Bolton march on
Spaniard Iván Campo scored the only goal for Bolton Wanderers FC in a 1-0 win at local rivals Blackburn Rovers FC but Finnish international goalkeeper Jussi Jääskeläinen was Bolton's real hero at Ewood Park as he saved two late penalties. Benni McCarthy and Jason Roberts both missed from the spot for UEFA Cup contenders Blackburn, while Bolton had midfielder Kevin Nolan sent off in a frantic finish. A fourth straight victory consolidated Bolton's position in third place, two points behind leaders Manchester United, who are their next opponents in the Premiership.

Arsenal cruise
Arsenal FC bounced back from their UEFA Champions League defeat by PFC CSKA Moskva in great style as they won 4-0-at Reading FC to move up to fourth spot. Thierry Henry gave Arsenal the lead within a minute, side-footing in after Cesc Fabregas pulled the ball back from the byline. Aleksandr Hleb linked up well with Tomáš Rosický before slamming Arsenal’s second goal high into the net and Hleb turned provider early in the second period, teeing up Robin van Persie to sweep in Arsenal’s third goal. Henry scored the fourth from the penalty spot, sliding the ball in off a post.

Yakubu winner
Stewart Downing provided the cross from a corner for Yakubu Ayegbeni to head in the winner for Middlesbrough FC against Newcastle United FC as the UEFA Cup challengers lost 1-0 away at last season's beaten finalists. Another UEFA Cup side, Tottenham Hotspur FC, had better fortunes at White Hart Lane as Egyptian striker Mido made the most of an Edgar Davids' cross by flicking it up and volleying in from an acute angle for the only goal in a 1-0 home win against fellow Londoners West Ham United FC.