Nasri helps Arsenal put United to flight

Nasri double
Having drawn 4-4 at home against Tottenham Hotspur FC before losing 2-1 to Stoke City FC in their previous league games, under-strength Arsenal revived their title hopes with a battling victory against United. Nasri's 22nd-minute opener benefited from a deflection off visiting defender Gary Neville, but there was little doubt that Arsenal deserved a second as Nasri collected a ball from Cesc Fàbregas and beat Edwin van der Sar. Substitute Rafael responded late for United but the Gunners stood their ground through six minutes of added time, occasioned by an injury to home goalkeeper Manuel Almunia, who was replaced by Łukas Fabiański with 12 minutes to go.

Keane first
Chelsea FC began the day at the summit but with Luiz Felipe Scolari's men not in action until their Sunday trip to Blackburn Rovers FC, Liverpool took the chance to move three points clear at the top with a 3-0 victory over West Bromwich Albion FC. Robbie Keane scored his first Premier League goals for the Anfield outfit on 34 and 43 minutes and Álvaro Arbeloa wrapped up the points in second-half stoppage time.

Saha strikes
In other Premier League fixtures, Louis Saha struck twice late on to give Everton a 3-1 win at West Ham United FC, while an added-time penalty from Jermain Defoe handed Portsmouth a 2-1 victory at Sunderland AFC, their first under new manager Tony Adams. Wigan Athletic FC drew 0-0 with Stoke while Hull City AFC lost for the third game in succession, 1-0 at home to Bolton Wanderers FC with Matthew Taylor scoring the only goal.