Henry comeback helps Arsenal rise

Thierry Henry made a goalscoring return as Arsenal FC defeated Charlton Athletic FC 4-0 to move back into the Premiership top four, on a night when Chelsea FC were frustrated by a 0-0 draw at Aston Villa FC.

Penalty poise
Henry, who last featured on 29 November before being sidelined by a sciatic nerve problem, opened the scoring with a penalty after Robin van Persie was fouled just before the half-hour mark. Relegation-threatened Charlton's Osei Sankofa was sent off as a result and the home team quickly made the extra man pay as Henry set up right-back Justin Hoyte just before half-time. Van Persie then struck twice in the closing stages, the first from a penalty, to ensure a comprehensive win.

Boulahrouz blow
Arsenal leapfrog Bolton Wanderers FC into fourth place on goal difference. They are a point adrift of Liverpool FC and nine behind second-placed Chelsea who had to settle for a point at Villa, their third straight draw. Frank Lampard spurned the champions' best chance from close range in the 90th minute. To make matters worse for Chelsea with captain John Terry watching from the stands after a back operation, fellow defender Khalid Boulahrouz limped off with a knee injury in the 33rd minute and looks set to be out of action for several weeks. Manchester United FC are six points ahead of Chelsea at the Premiership summit.