Arsenal keep show on the road

A 3-0 victory at Birmingham City FC helped Arsenal FC maintain their English Premiership advantage over Chelsea FC and Manchester United FC on a day when all the top three won ahead of their return to UEFA Champions League action in midweek.

Early win
United did spend two-and-a-half hours in first place after beating Blackburn Rovers FC 2-1 in an early kick off. Ruud van Nistelrooij put United ahead on 24 minutes and before half-time Kleberson scored his first goal for the reigning champions to double the lead. Brett Emerton pulled one back 26 minutes from the end.

Arsenal top
However, Arsenal were ahead four minutes into their match at Birmingham City FC through Fredrik Ljungberg, and Denis Bergkmap and Robert Pires added to the lead late on. Arsenal had four players suspended, but they remain unbeaten 13 games into the season.

Melchiot goal
Chelsea are second, a point behind Arsenal but one ahead of United, after Mario Melchiot scored on 47 minutes to secure a 1-0 win at Southampton FC. In midweek, United and Chelsea can both secure Champions League last 16 places on Wednesday with draws against Panathinaikos FC and AC Sparta Praha respectively, while Arsenal travel to Internazionale FC the day before.

Di Canio penalty
Charlton Athletic FC lie fourth, nine points adrift of United, after drawing 1-1 at Leicester City FC thanks to Paolo Di Canio's late penalty. Newcastle United FC's 3-0 win against Manchester City FC took them above their opponents into the top six.

Everton climb
Liverpool FC, though, are 15 points away from Arsenal after being held 0-0 by Middlesbrough FC, but their city rivals Everton FC escaped the bottom three with a 2-0 home win against fellow strugglers Wolverhampton Wanderers FC.

Leeds slump
Managerless Leeds United AFC remain bottom after a 2-0 defeat at home by Bolton Wanderers FC. Aston Villa FC, however, slipped into the bottom three on goals scored behind Blackburn, but can rectify that when they meet Tottenham Hotspur FC on Sunday, and Fulham FC will enter the top five on Monday night if they beat Portsmouth FC.