Arsenal stay hot on Chelsea's heels

Chelsea FC beat West Ham United FC 4-1 to go top of the Premier League but Arsenal FC, who have played a game more, are second only on goal difference after a 2-1 victory over Hull City AFC.

Alex headed Chelsea in front in the 16th minute against the Hammers but Scott Parker ensured the visitors were level at half-time. Didier Drogba then took over, putting his side ahead (56) and finishing off the scoring late on – with his 21st top-flight goal this term – after Florent Malouda had got in on the act.

Arsenal duly replied in dramatic fashion. Andrei Arshavin put Arsène Wenger's side in front with a neat finish on 14 minutes, but Jimmy Bullard drew relegation-threatened Hull level from the penalty spot. George Boateng's dismissal just before the break looked to have minimised the Tigers' hopes of a point, but it was not until second-half added time that Nicklas Bendtner, who struck a hat-trick against FC Porto in midweek, gave Arsenal victory.

In the battle for the fourth UEFA Champions League spot, Tottenham Hotspur FC strode three points clear of the pack with a 3-1 home win against Blackburn Rovers FC, Roman Pavlyuchenko scoring twice to take his streak to eight in his last six club games.

Aston Villa FC are six points adrift of Tottenham with two games in hand after a goalless draw at Stoke City FC. The two teams immediately behind Villa, Birmingham City FC and Everton, played out a 2-2 draw at St Andrews. Victor Anichebe and Ayegbeni Yakubu put the visitors in charge, but the hosts fought back through Cameron Jerome and Craig Gardner.

At the bottom, Wolverhampton Wanderers FC picked up a vital 2-1 win at Burnley FC to go three points clear of the relegation zone. Matt Jarvis's first-half effort and Clarke Carlisle's own goal secured Wolves' success. Wigan Athletic FC followed Monday's win against Liverpool FC with a 4-0 reverse at Bolton Wanderers FC.