Wenger refuses to rule out rivals

Arsenal FC and Manchester United FC are celebrating after they defeated respective local rivals Chelsea FC and Liverpool FC on Sunday, but Arsène Wenger believes all four teams remain in the running for the Premier League title. "Of course it's Arsenal and United but the other two are still involved," he said. "I personally prefer that it remains a four-horse race because it is more interesting."

Race open
In the earlier game, Carlos Tévez struck two minutes before half-time at Anfield to earn United a victory, and the same scoreline was enough for the Gunners thanks to a close-range William Gallas header against his former club. Wenger's side, who had not beaten Chelsea in eleven competitive games, remain one point ahead of United, with the Blues now five further behind and Liverpool ten adrift of first place with a game in hand.

'Perfect response'
Wenger was delighted with his team's performance, coming a week after their unbeaten league start ended at Middlesbrough FC. "It was very important, the perfect response," he said. "If you lose a match and then lose the next match at home it can undermine your confidence, so I am delighted with the spirit we showed."

Close encounter
Chelsea manager Avram Grant, contemplating only his second defeat in 18 matches in charge, lost defender John Terry to a foot injury but refused to be downbeat. "We deserved more out of the game," he said. "But there is only six points in it and that is nothing at this stage of the season. I think if we carry on playing like this we can pick up the six points. It won't be easy but Arsenal had all their best players back from injury today and we still had players missing, but there wasn't much difference between us."

Picture clearing
Up in Liverpool, Sir Alex Ferguson drew breath after a typically frenetic encounter. "It wasn't a smash and grab victory at all," he said. We played the better stuff." And the United manager believes the table is definitely taking shape: "I always think it's important to be up there once you get through the Christmas period. If we are around the top on 1 January we will have an outstanding chance of winning the league and we will also know who our challengers are going to be."

Long way to go
Rafael Benítez, who has lost six of his seven league meetings with United as Liverpool manager, saw his side slip to fifth place behind Manchester City FC this weekend but is not giving up hope of ending the club's 18-season wait for a 19th league crown. "It is too soon for the title," he said. "For me it is a long way. It will be harder, clearly. You need to be winning games in a row if you want to be closer. This year all the teams can lose points so you can just think about the next game." All four clubs will feature in Friday's draw for the last 16 of the UEFA Champions League.